Dante's Paradise

I'm Here...

2008-01-23T15:46:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!!! Sorry it's been such a long time since my last note. Been very busy with the Holidays and playing with my new tennis ball. Things going very good. I'm putting up my favorite picture from XMas. I think I look really handsome, don't you?!

A Rainy Day in LA

2007-12-07T08:40:00.001-08:00

I don't like the rain. It's boring!!!! Mommy and daddy don't like to walk when it's raining. I don't mind getting wet but I guess humans don't like it much. All I do all day is play with my bone (really how long can I chew on my bone....after a while I'm bored) and run in the house. Well, since I can't run outside, I have to run somewhere, right? I heard my mommy say that I was going stir crazy....what does that mean? Rufffff!!!!

Growing up fast

2007-11-26T11:12:00.000-08:00

First I want to start by saying I had a GREAT weekend!!!!!! Lots of mommy and daddy's friends around, that turkey thing (yummy!), and hiking in the hills. I hope everyone had a great weekend too...Ruff!
Ok, last night I heard my mommy tell my daddy that I'm growing up soooo fast. She's right too. Now I bark louder and I'm beginning to lift my leg when I go to the bathroom. That's a sure sign that I'm becoming a big boy! Mommy also said that I have too much energy in morning now. Don't know what that means. I'm just being me in the morning. I'm putting up my latest picture so you can see how big I'm getting. Bye!

Gobble Gobble, Woof Woof!

2007-11-23T12:17:00.002-08:00

I discovered something amazing!!! It's called Turkey. Mommy and daddy had this big party yesterday with lots of people (my favorite because I get a lot of attention which I love, thank you very much!) and all day long I was smelling something really good in the air. I kept going into the kitchen but my mommy kept telling me to leave. The smell was driving me crazy!!! Finally in the afternoon, I found out what it was...Turkey!!! Loved it! My mommy and daddy never give me human food, but yesterday must have been a special day because they let me have some. Yesterday was great. I played with my auntie's friend, Pat and then with a small human called Sara. She was strange because every time I went to sniff her she started crying. She brought toys with her and I tried to play with some of them, but daddy wouldn't let me. He said they was not doggie toys....I can't tell the difference...the fluffy bear looked a lot like the fluffy bear I destroyed last week. Anyway, I had a great time and was really tired by night time. I hope they let me have some more of that Turkey thing again. Bye!

Humans are strange

2007-11-21T09:01:00.001-08:00

I love my humans...really I do. But I have to say that they are strange sometimes. For example, yesterday morning I played with my daddy all morning on the bed. We wrestled, I bit him several times (playfully of course!), barking...you know the regular thing. We had a great time. So I'm thinking, this is going to be a regular thing in the morning, right? WRONG! This morning I jump on the bed and get ready for the wrestling match, when he yells at me. Can you believe that? He yelled at me for doing what I do every morning. I just don't get it. My mommy said that daddy was in a bad mood. What's a bad mood? I'm always happy, especially when it's morning and I'm going to start a brand new day. That means I get to eat, go for my walk and play with my bone. Why are humans in "good moods" sometimes and in "bad moods" at other times. They should just be happy...like me.

I Love a Good Hike in the Morning

2007-11-19T11:24:00.000-08:00

Sunday is always my favorite day of the week. Mommy and daddy love to take me hiking. They say it's great exercise for me and that I get all my energy out. Whatever!!! Their favorite hike is Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood hills. I get to run and play with so many really great doggies! My mom and dad get to exercise too. This Sunday, my mommy went shopping so my daddy took me instead. We had a boys day...that's what I heard my mommy say. Anyway, we walked down the canyon and then up again. I love it! Got to play and meet so many great doggies. I don't get to go off the leash yet because I'm still a little boy but I know that soon I'll be big enough to run around without the leash...but only where I'm allowed. Can't wait for next weekend!!!!

People Watching at the Coffee Shop

2007-11-16T15:04:00.001-08:00

I have to say that I love people watching. Mommy and Daddy take me out to their favorite coffee shop and I can sit there for hours and watch people and doggies go by. It's one of my favorite things. I love when people come up to me and scratch my head and say "you are so sweet." Ok, I admit it...I'm a ham. I love the attention. But I have to wonder, "why do humans sit in a coffee shop for hours drinking something that makes them jittery?" How can they "sit." Doesn't the coffee make them want to jump up and down? Just a doggy observation..

Labradoodle???

2007-11-15T16:03:00.000-08:00

I met a new friend today. His name is Hunkleberry. He's nice but strange. My mommy said he's a Labradoodle. What is that???
I mean is he a Labrador or is he a Poodle? It's like they couldn't make up their mind which one they wanted so they put both together and got my friend Hunkleberry. Doesn't matter. He likes to play and that's all that is important to me!

Fall Has Befallen!

2007-11-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

I love leaves!!!! The more the better!!!! I can run all day and play with them. I love to grab them and throw them up in the air and then catch them again. I love to chew on them. The best part is that there are soooooo many of them now.

Mom doesn't mind when I play with them. But she doesn't like when I eat them. Something about my poop and leaves. Don't get it. Anyway, when she's not looking, I eat them! OK, I know that's not being a good boy but who cares.

I loves leaves!!!!!!!!!!!!

Busy Boy

2007-10-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

Boy, I have been one really busy boy! Since I'm getting bigger my mommy and daddy like to take me everywhere! I really like it too. That's why I haven't been writing here because I've just been busy busy busy.....

I'm sitting here watching the Yankees with my daddy. They are not doing very good so he's not happy. But every once in a while I go over to him for a hug and kiss. I think that makes him happy. Ohoo! The other team just scored again...gotta go!

Shower Time!

2007-10-02T13:56:00.001-07:00

Ok, I didn't think I needed one, but my mommy had me take a shower today. YUK!!!!! Hated it! I ususally take my showers outside in the backyard, but this time mommy took me to a special spa just for dogs. Even though I didn't like it, I was a good boy. I stood in the tub while she sprayed me with water and then lathered me up with my favorite shampoo. I didn't try to move or make it difficult for mommy. I did hear another doggie crying. But I didn't cry. I just stood there and took it like a good boy. When mommy finished she gave me a treat while she used this wind machine that dried my hair. THAT I DID NOT ENJOY ONE BIT! I did not like the air blowing my hair around. I have to admit, I did cry a little bit then. But it didn't take too long to finish and then we were OUT OF THERE!!!!!!

Now I'm clean and beautiful. Daddy says I look like a big boy with my hair nice and shiney. I think I'm going to snuggle up on the carpet and take a nap now....YAWN!

Busy weekend!

2007-10-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

WHEW!!! I had a busy weekend. I went back to school on Saturday. But this time my daddy came with us too. It was a lot of work because at first I didn't want to do anything the teacher said I had to do. I just wanted to sniff around and play. But Mr. Darryl said I had to platz and stay while my mommy and daddy walked away. I don't like when they do that because I get a little scared. So I got up to follow them. But Mr. Darryl said I couldn't do that and he made me platz and stay again. This time I stayed just where they told me to. Eventhough I was afraid I did what they said...and you know what? Mommy called me to her right away and everything was just great! Now I know that I can platz and wait for mommy or daddy because they won't leave me alone for long.

After school we went for some coffee. I had water. Little doggies don't drink coffee. But I like going to the coffee shop because everyone wants to pet me and play with me. I'm a really good boy because I sit and let everyone come up to me and I even let the birds get really close to me.

On Sunday morning we went for a really long walk around the neighborhood. I haven't seen any of my friends lately but I did meet a new friend. His name is Reggie and he's a puppy like me. We played in the street. I like to jump on my friends and nibble their ears. Some of my friends don't mind but others don't like that. Reggie liked to play and we jumped on each other and chased each other around. It was a lot of fun!

Then later my mommy and daddy left me alone in the house outside my cage when they went shopping. I didn't understand at first why they walked out the door without me. I went to the window looking for them but I didn't see them. I lay down in front of the garage door waiting for them. But when they didin't come back right away I went to the window again. This time I smelled something that was alot like my mommy. It was a big fluffy white square thing on the window. I think I heard my mommy call it a "pillow." But it smelled like mommy so I took it to the back door to sniff it some more. It made me feel better so I kept it with me until I heard the door open. I ran to the garage door and then all of a sudden, my mommy and daddy walked in!! I was sooooooo happy to see them. But my daddy wasn't very happy that I took the "pillow" from the window. He said that was "foowie." Ok, I'll try not to do that again.

A Dog Day Lazy Friday

2007-09-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

Mommy and daddy say I have way too much energy in the morning. I don't think so. So I like to run around the house and jump on the bed in the morning. So I like to throw my bone up in the air and let it fall on the ground...over and over and over again. So I like to following my mommy everywhere she goes...and I mean EVERYWHERE! I especially like to follow her to the bathroom and sit outside the door and wait. When she comes out...it's play time!!!

This morning my mommy and daddy said I needed to go out for a car ride. OK, I like the car. They took me to lunch at this outdoor place. I sat there watching everyone pass by while they ate their human food. I liked the guy that came to the table and asked my mommy and daddy questions about me. I liked him because he brought me a big bowl of water. I also liked to watch the guys go in and out of cars. I could spend all afternoon watching them.

Then we went to another outside place where I watched the birds eating on the ground. I wanted to go and play with them but my mommy wouldn't let me. That was ok because we went for a long walk. I had a nice day but now I just want to lay down, play with my bone and maybe take a long long nap. OOOOOOO!!!!

As the "Paw" Turns

2007-09-27T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm in LOVE!!!! She's the most beautiful female doggy in the world! She has beautiful golden brown/red hair. Her eyes are dark brown and she's got short legs with cute little paws. I've seen her a few times coming to visit the kids across the street but yesterday, I finally got to meet her. She played hard to get...that's what I heard my mommy tell her daddy. I tried to get her attention but she didn't want to play. That's ok, because I know that when she sees me a few more times and sees I'm a good boy, she'll want to play with me. Her daddy said that she only likes boys that are older because she's 12 years old. I think that's old...reallllly old. But it doesn't matter to me. She's beautiful!!!!!!!!

I also heard that she is a "cat whisperer." I don't know what that means. Maybe she likes to whisper to cats? I don't know why because cats are boring. They just sit on top of cars and stare at you.

Maybe if I let her play with my MFT (that would be "my most favorite toy") then she'll like me?

Going to School is Fun!

2007-09-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

I went to school today!!!! I didn't want to go at first because I prefer to play with my toy and chew on my bone at home but my mom said I had to go. When I got there I jumped out of my mom's car and I started to sniff around. I realized that I had been there before and that I used to really like it. Mom walked me around at first so I could really get a good sniff of the place. WOW! I didn't know where to begin!

Then my teacher came out. His name is Mr. Darryl. I like him because I've known him all my life. He used to play with me when I was a little puppy. He was also the first person to show me how to sit and platz (that's "lie down" in German). I got a chance to show off in front of Mr. Darryl before we start our class. I showed him how well I walk with my mommy and sit down the minute she stops. Mr. Darryl said I was doing really good! Then he had me platz down and wait while my mommy walked away. I had to stay in my place eventhough I wanted to run after her. But I was a good boy and waited. Then my mommy called my name and I went running straight to her. I was so happy that I jumped on her. But I wasn't supposed to do that. So Mr. Darryl showed me that when I run to my mom, I'm supposed to sit in front of her. I think I got it. I tried it again and this time I did what I was supposed to do. Boy, was my mom happy!

We did more running and staying and after class Mr. Darryl let me play with MFT (that would be "my favorite toy.") for a little while he talked with mom. Then we got back in my mom's car and went home.

When I got home, I was tired and thirsty. I drank almost all the water in my bowl! Since I had been a good boy in school, my mom gave me a special peanut butter treat. YUMMMMMMYYYYY!!!

I like to make my mommy and daddy happy. They pet me and give me treats because I'm a good boy and do all my work in school. Can't wait for school again!

It's My "Ruff" So I'll Tell It!

2007-09-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

I don't believe we have "officially" met. My name is Dante I am 1 year old. I was born in Burbank, California but my family comes from Germany. I was told by my father that I come from a long line of champions. That is the reason why I am soooo special. But my mommy says I'm speical just because I am me....don't know what that means, but it sounds nice! Anyway, I am a dog, just in case you don't know by now....nice to meet you! My mommy started this blog about me and that was very nice of her. But the other day while I was lying by her feet and she was typing away I suddenly thought, "I should be telling everyone about my life not her." I know she loves me but she sees things like a human. I see things like a dog. We are different!

For example, the other day I was bored just lying around the bedroom while she was in the bathroom. I like my bone and all but sometimes it gets boring. Anyway, I was lying around when suddenly I saw this rubbery toy in front of me. It was bigger than my bone and softer too. It had all these holes in it and even two round "thingies" that I could pull on. I figured it's there, right in front of me, why not?! So I started to chew on it. I was having a great old time when suddenly my mommy comes out of the bathroom and pulls my new toy away and yells at me. She said it was "foowie" and that I was a bad boy for chewing on it. Boy did I get in trouble!!!! I guess it was her toy and she didn't want me playing with it. She called it a "shoe." Whatever! Don't get her sometimes, I let her play with my toys. You see what I mean...we see things differently.

So from now on, I'll be writing my own blog! Hey, maybe I can get my friends and family to write things too! That would be so much fun! I have a lot of friends and even a cousin named Roxy. You'll like her, she's smaller than me, but older and she has a funny face. She likes to eat my bones. I let her because she's smaller. I have a friend named King. He's older but big like me. He's from Holland but his daddy is from Lebanon. We love to play. He has a front yard in his house and we run around and jump on each other. Then there's Rocky and Chauncy and Cooper and Bulwinkle and Buster. Boy I have soooooo manyyyyy friends and stories to tell you...!!!!! This is going to be fun!!!!

The Birthday Boy!

2007-09-21T10:04:00.000-07:00

Today is Dante's 1st birthday! Since it is only right that I gift him with something special, I gave him an extra scoop of kibble this moring. I think he was grateful. His tail was wagging. He jumped up on my shoulder and gave me a big wet kiss on the nose and then a nice little nibble on my ear. I would say that qualifies as happiness for a dog.

I know I'll sound crazy to say this but, I believe dogs know when it's their birthday. I don't mean in a cognitive way but in a metaphysical or instinctual way. They see their owners making a big fuss about then. They get fed special treats. They get an extra special walk or perhaps a new toy. Some owners even throw elaborate doggy birthday parties with cake and all. The dog has to instinctually feel that something is special. They play, they get excited they jump up and down, they do everything children would do on their birthday. They celebrate their youth. So I wonder, as they get older, into their later years, do they also sense their impending immortality. Do dogs sense that death is approaching?

Perhaps it is a question I will ponder on and later respond myself. Today is a day to celebrate...my boy turns 1!

A Little Bit of Dante in the Morning

2007-09-20T15:00:00.000-07:00

It was going to be a great morning!!! I was going to sleep late, be lazy, watch the news, have a cup of coffee in bed...ahh! But Dante, that would be my dog, decided that just was not going to work for him. I was up at 6 am! But let me say that having a dog as wonderful as Dante (and I'm not being biased. It's a fact. He's wonderful.), is a blessing. The house was so lonely without the pitter patter and plunk plunk of a doggy running around the hall and bedrooms. I missed Luna with all my heart. I still do. In fact, I think I miss her more today than I did when she passed away. I see her everywhere and especially since Dante is sleeping in what was once her bed. I don't mind that really. He loves it. Her scent must be on the bed so he feels safe. But I can still see her laying in it; looking up at me, curled up in a ball. I miss her kissess and hugs. I miss her special dogality (that would be personality but for dogs). She was special, she was my girl.

Ok enough with the sentiments, let me get back to the start of my day. Dante loves to eat. He will eat anything! In fact, as I write this, he is laying by my side eating a new bone and has not come up for air. This will be his 3rd bone in 3 days. He has a jaw like a shark! This moring at 6 am, Dante wanted to eat. He made that perfectly clear to me when he jumped on my head. Dante is a German Shephard. Having him jump on my head when I was in dreamland having a glorious dream about something or other was not my idea of a great way to wake up. But he's a puppy and puppies will be puppies. I got up and fed him his bowl of kibble. He ate it in 2 minutes...I timed him. (A side note; the bone that he has been chewing for the last 30 minutes reeks!!!!!! It smells like old, dirty socks mixed with farts. I'm dying here!!!) Getting back to his morning escapades; potty training has been, shall I say, challenging. He knows where he as to "go." But he "goes" when he wants to "go", which means if it's at 4 am then it's at 4 am. But I won't be perturbed. I will dominate! I'm the Alpha dog. he will "go" when I say he "goes'. This morning at 5:30am I won! Ok, so it's only an hour later...but it's the principle...I won!