Santa is Coming to Town!

Now don't say, "Not you too, Hugh!" I am not starting the Christmas season too soon..cuz really, Santa arrived on the train today!!! Mom and Dad are decorating the house today. We are going to have that big ole tree in the house again and I am going to have to tell Jewel all about how they bring the outside inside but that it doesn't mean we are outside!

Ten rules for Poodles at Christmas time:

1. Do NOT hike your leg on the Christmas tree. Marcus taught me this last year. I tried it anyway.

2. Glass balls on the Christmas tree are not for running with through the house!

3. Opening presents that are not yours or have not been specifically given to you is a No, No!

4. Stuffed angels are not chew toys!

5. Do Not, and I repeat, Do Not unplug the Christmas lights with your teeth!

6. It does not get you a better gift to growl at Santa!

7. Mom frowns on Poodles pulling the table runner off the coffee table..even if it has fun tassle things that swing around.

8. Eating Santa's cookies & milk, before he arrives, will not get you a better gift either!

9. Do not be afraid of the BIG Christmas bear they put by the front door. Attacking him does not make Mom happy either.

10. Having your sister chase you around the Christmas tree will NOT have a favorable outcome!

I know for sure that I am getting my picture taken with Santa. I heard Mom and Dad talking about maybe taking the "twins" and Mom muttering, "oh what a joy" that would be. Some how I don't think she really meant Joy!.

We got a ton of snow during the week and through the weekend. Jewel & I got to go out and run ourselves silly. Dad says that I am so much bigger than Jewel that I sucker her in and then I dump her in the snow. Well, it is true that I am a big guy - um, okay, well, I guess I do get her to run after me then I spin and POOF! into the snow bank she goes! Mom likes all the snow because there is no mud. When it begins to melt that is when the fun stuff begins....I like being dirty! I think Jewel likes it even more than me.

First Mommy's dog Kale is getting ready to have a litter of puppies..any day now, Mom said. Mom said she hopes they are on puppy cam like my brothers and sisters and myself were. She said it is great fun to see everyone develop...the only down side and it really isn't a down side, is when they all go to their forever homes. That is hard, she said.

Well, I gotta get to supervising all this decorating stuff - I'll be back again soon!

I am Hugh

Thanksgiving

Today was not a good day for pheasant hunting...we got some snow! Not as much as last year, but this was Jewel's first snow. We had a very good time playing today.

We helped Dad yesterday rake leaves...well, we helped scatter them around again. We got really super dirty. Dad had to wash us off with the hose! By that time Mom was home and we went and curled up with her on the couch to snuggle and get warm.

I have gotten to go hunting a couple more times with Dad. He says that there are just some places I like and some I don't. It is kind of like today...Mom and Dad took us shopping with them. Jewel and Mom were looking at little kittens and a girl came over to say "hi!" to Jewel. Now, Jewel, she likes every one when she meets them in person. If they are up on the bike path - well, forget about it! But if she is introduced to someone she is very friendly. This little girl was cute, but Jewel didn't like something about her. Turns out the family has a full wolf in their pack. Jewel didn't like the smell of her at all. Her tail was down as far as she could get it and she wanted Mom to take her away from the girl. Mom knew it too and she thanked the girl for saying "hi!" and then they came over to where Dad & I were picking out a new "baby doll" for Miss Moose. So it is kind of like that. I smell someplace and sometimes I just don't like it. Dad says that I will need to work through that. I guess.

Today we helped Dad shovel snow. We weren't allowed to go outside together while he shovelled. Dad said it was hard enough keeping track of one of us let alone two of us when we are going crazy! When we were out with Dad yesterday and he was raking Jewel was not paying attention to where he was and she swung around after me and hit her head really hard against Dad's leg. He told Mom that it stunned her for a minute. He made us stop playing and he checked her out. He checked her head and her eye to make sure she didn't hurt herself. Mom checked her out when she got home too. Jewel was fine, but she sure did scare Dad. When he got out the shovel this morning we were raring to go and help, but he was having none of it. Nope. We could come out and play, but one at a time. I have played in snow before, but Jewel, well, she had a rip-roaring time!

Well, I sure do look forward to more snow and more chances to go out and prove myself. Dad told me a secret the other day though...we were sitting on the couch and he whispered to me that no matter what he still loved me and I would still be his buddy. Yep, my Dad, he sure loves me. I sure am Thankful.

I am Hugh

Who are We?

I have had a hard time the last couple of months hunting..so I have been concentrating and not writing on my blog. Mom says, "shame on the Poo." So here I am to give an update as to how things are going.

Jewel and I both are giving hunting a go. Dad is still hoping that my lack of love for water will change. He says that I have fear that he doesn't know where it is coming from. I am working on it. Dad and I went out on Friday and we went some place that we had not been before and nothing freaked me out. Dad said if I can just get over my fear of "someplace different" that I will be the perfect companion hunter. Gunfire doesn't bother me, but if I don't like a situation I am pretty stubborn about it.

Jewel went pheasant hunting with Dad on Thursday. The same place I refused to hunt she did as well. He said she just plopped down and would not budge forward. As he was loading her back into the truck he ran into another hunter. They talked about their dogs and she said (it was Jewel's prior mom's daughter) that she has had dogs refuse like that. Dad took Jewel to a different spot and they got out of the truck. Dad said that Jewel was very excited and she worked the field like she is supposed to. Jewel's problem is she does not like loud noises of any kind. Dad thinks this has something to do with where she lived before she came Home to us. She is ever on alert with loud noises. Mom said they are going to continue with "sound" therapy for Jewel and see if they can get her over that.

Dad thinks we are both very capable of being really good hunters. He said that he thinks it will just take us a litte longer than most.

I am pretty smart and I like to go, go, go. Mom and Dad say they won't give up on me because "it" is all there.

I did have a success this month though...I have decided that it isn't so bad for people to touch me. At about 10 or 11 months I decided that I didn't want anyone but my Mom and Dad touching me and I would duck away if someone tried to touch me. Last month when I was with Kissty Kissty her Mom visited the shop and I didn't like that. This month when her Mom came to visit I wagged at her and let her touch me. I now also greet everyone at the vet's office downstairs from Kissty Kissty's shop. I've told my Mom, in not so many words, that maybe I am just a late bloomer and I like things just so before I feel good about it. Mom doesn't seem to think any less of me for it.

Well, I think I will get it. I am sure I will have more to report next Sunday.

I am Hugh

Grouse Hunting is Hard Work...

I learned that sage grouse hunting is a lot of hard work. You walk and walk and walk. The birds get spooked. You have to watch where they land. Then you walk some more. It is uneven territory and nothing I have ever seen before. It is dry and it is hot. We worked three abreast. Dad to the left, Mom to the right and me in the middle taking point. I will be honest...I didn't know what I was doing out there. Dad said that even Oliver, TGH didn't know what he was doing the first time but was curious for sure.

I think I was really tired from the night before. There were owl sounds. There were bird sounds. There was a pack of young coyotes that travelled the entire valley we were camped in all night long. They called to each other all night long. Something came into our camp in the middle of the night. I was curled up against Mom. I growled deep in my chest. She could hear what I heard. She just layed her hand on my side and whispered, "ssshhh." There were shot guns in the tent just in case a mountain kitty decided to come say "hi!" I didn't know this, but Mom did.

Dad said I was being a typical poodle because I would not go to the bathroom in a new environment. I guess that Mom and Dad were waiting for me to explode. Dad said that with all the walking we were going to do I wouldn't be able to hang onto "it" for too long. Without painting a graphic picture he was right.

When Dad shot his birds Mom and I worked together finding them. Mom technically found them before I did and I wanted to eat the feathers..Dad kept telling me to quit that, but I don't know, it was kind of fun!

On the way back to the truck, which was a long, long, long way away Mom and Dad decided to make their way down into a canyon to avoid a barbed wire fence. Mom told Dad she didn't think it dropped off but went across the canyon too. It did, but it was much easier to get under. There were even spots that had "hunter holes" (that is where the wire has been cut but "wired" back together so that all you have to do is unhook the wire and crawl through), but it still was barbed wire that you had to be careful of. We were on BLM land, but it is still fenced and cross fenced. We had a game cop watching us for a bit across the canyon. You don't have anything to worry about unless you are doing something wrong or outside the regs Dad said. I don't think I can get arrested for licking sage grouse or eating feathers...can I??

Anyway, I got under the barbed wire, with Mom's coaching, and looked down. Waaaay down. I plopped my butt on a rock and watched Mom and Dad move down the canyon. Mom looked back to see where I was. I was still at the top sitting on my rock. I did not want to go down the way they were going. It looked scary. Mom said to me, "Hughie, you are going to have to come down this way it is quicker." Still I sat. Mom and Dad called at the same time, "Come on Hugh!" I reluctantly gave up my perch and followed Mom down. Where she put her feet I put mine. Whew! We made it down. I then took over the lead because we were back on familiar ground and I knew the way back.

It was a good couple of days in the desert. I had all kinds of stories to tell my sister. Dad said I was very calm during the hunt and I followed Mom's instructions to the "t." He said that my spotting and retrieve will improve, but it will take getting "birds under my belt."

Ahhhh, I like the Oregon desert.....

I Am Hugh

Dove Hunting

I have had a busy month! Train, train, train....well and a lot of fun!

Last night Dad put a bell on my collar & an orange vest on me, he loaded up his shot gun, me & Mom into the truck and we went dove hunting. It was so cool! I didn't freak out with the shot gun going off. I did, however, stand behind Dad when he lifted the gun to shoot a 3rd time. Hey, a guy has got to be cautious. At least I didn't try to take off for the Cascades!

We are going to go Sage Grouse hunting in a week. Dad says that he thinks I will get excited when I can see the Thunder chicken fall from the sky and actually have a mark to go after. Dad calls sage grouse thunder chickens. Go figure. Maybe I'll get it when I see one?

Mom has decided that I am the only one going to the desert. She said that Jewel would be staying behind. I know to be quiet if they are working Jewel, but Jewel has not figured out how to be quiet if I am out working the field and Mom says that really takes the element of surprise out of the equation. So it looks like I get 5 days in the desert with Mom and Dad. The other reason, which I think is the bigger reason, is that there may be quite a few dogs in camp when all is said and done and keeping track of one of us is easier than two, plus Jewel is fearless.

Hopefully, Mom will take lots of pictures for me to share when we get back.

I am Hugh

Workin' it!

We went out today and Mom filmed me...I think she has gone video crazy since she figured out her digital camera will do video. She has had that camera how long and just now figures it out?

Dad said I did the best I have ever done today! I got every buck but two and even Dad had a hard time finding them, so I don't feel too bad. Dad said that I was showing off for Mom because I have never done so well. He has been putting off doing a forced fetch with me. He said he is still going to train with me that way, but he was really happy with me today. He said I, "worked it out." Good, huh?

This is a short video and I am going to swim later, so maybe Mom will help me post a video of that later. Dad says that I still haven't taken to water like he would like me to. He said for sure pheasant are in my future. I'll work hard. I know I will get there.

I am Hugh

Camo Swim

I worked hard this weekend! Lots of training. Dad told me I only have 2 months to get ready. Little Bits (Jewel) got her booster for her snake vaccine and limes. So she is ready to go into the desert too.

Saturday was swim day! I finally fit into my camo vest with flotation tubes on the side. Dad says, like I have said before, that I am a great swimmer, but now I just need to show interest in the buck. He says I get out there and swim like nobodies business - but the buck is a non-issue for me right now. I'll get it, I know I will! Dad says I will get it too and that sometimes it just takes time. He says that I am eager to please and that works in his favor and mine.

Today, Dad and I went out to Miller Island to train. There were lots of teams of hunters and their dogs. Where we went though it was just us. I worked hard. Dad said I did good until I got tired. When I got tired I grabbed the buck and sacked out in the grass. Dad thought that was pretty funny.

This afternoon Dad, Mom, Jewel and Me went out to Robinson Butte to look for wild strawberries and a bear or two. No berries, no bears, but plenty of butterflies! Mom said the strawberries are late in coming and may not show at all. There were a few on the ground that in a week or two will be red and ready to eat, but not as many as in years past. We sniffed and sniffed, got treats, some love and some water. No bears.

Jewel got sick on the way home..poor girl. Mom told Dad it was his driving...it was really bumpy and twisty turny out where we were. Jewel and I curled up and didn't wake up until we went by the nudist watering hole out in the woods. There were tons of naked people laying about this big crater in the ground. The water looked so good - I really wanted out to go play! I don't care about a bunch of people without their clothes on. They wouldn't let me out of the truck! Can you believe it? Mom said that it might be best if I didn't wreak havoc on their peaceful afternoon in the sun. Me? Wreak havoc!?! Well, maybe just a little - it would have been fun to run through all those naked people!

I am Hugh

Swim, Swam, Swum..

• There is Jewel up top swimming and then Dad and me swimming. Dad says that when Jewel learns to relax and put her butt up and her head down she will do better. Dad says that I am still a natural swimmer. Dad also says that I am as bad as Oliver, TGH in my dislike of water right now. Dad said that Oliver, TGH didn't care for water at all, but once he figure the pool out he was a great swimmer in it and in lakes and ponds. Dad put every duck, buck and toy that Jewel and I love in the pool to entice us and well, we just were not having it.

Jewel and I had a good romp under the apple trees and out in the garden. We were quite gray, almost looked related to Miss Moose by the time we were done. Mom hosed us off. Jewel sure does like the hose. She thinks it is great fun. Me? Well, there have to be better poodle things to do, right? I like a good game of chase though!

Jewel and I split our time between the big kennel and the shop today. Mom mowed the back and front lawns and Dad worked on oak shelving in the the shop that he is installing in the house. Yesterday we worked outside all day with Dad working on the pool. There is this little machine that goes in the pool - Mom calls him Oscar - and he kind of freaks me out. He climbs the walls of the pool and looks like he is going to come out and get me and well, I am still a poodle pup after all, and sometimes I think he is going to come out and get me - did you get that? I think he is going to come out and get me! But Oscar always sinks back down into the pool like some white and blue monster.

I think I agree with Mom - the weekends always seem so short and there is so much for a poodle boy to do and not enough daylight!

I am Hugh

Hard work!

The last couple of Sundays have been busy...too busy for me to be inside on a computer. Last Sunday Jewel and I turned 1! We had gingersnap cookies (Moosey had the most, she stole them off the table and ripped the bag open and ate at least 12 Dad said.) and a drive in the country.

Both Jewel and I are working on our retrieving. Mom said that I have reached a stubborn stage because I am not doing what is asked of me. Jewel is retrieving better than I am right now. We had our first swim, which Mom did not get pictures of. Jewel got in the pool to retrieve a decoy, but did not do a very good job of getting out. Mom and Dad were right there to make sure the experience was not a bad one. She just needs to learn to swim, but she kind of skipped the lesson to get the bird. Next weekend Dad said that the pool will be running on the solar panels and that will be the time for both canine and human to have some lessons. Dad said that he thinks I am going to be as difficult to get to like the water as Oliver, TGH was. He said that Oliver did not want to learn to swim, but that once he did he loved it. He thinks that I have forgotten my good experiences with the pool last summer and that we are starting at scratch. He says that I have no interest in water right now. Dad says that Jewel, on the other hand, is all about water - whether it is hoses, baths or pools she is up for it. Now if she can just swim!

Today we worked out in the yard extending our kennel. Moose and Marc are staying in the house during the day right now and Jewel and I are in the kennel. Dad would like all the big dogs in the kennel and then Marcus in his own separate fancy kennel. It was hot work. Mom worked on getting the rest of the algae out of the pool. Jewel and I liked laying down in the cool fresh dirt. Needless to say, Jewel and I are both very dirty and I just had a bath with Kissty, Kissty on Friday.

Yesterday was the 4th of July. Mom does not care for fireworks of the small kind. Oliver, TGH did not like fireworks at all. Dad and Mom went over to Ashland with Miss Moose. She doesn't usually get to go on long trips since Jewel and I have been around, but Mom thought it would be nice for Moose and the fact that Moose likes every person or dog she meets and there were lots of people and kids and dogs at Tom & Shirley's yesterday. Miss Moose said she had a really good time.

When we came home though the neighborhood started with the firecrackers and just made Marcus and Mom very crabby. Marcus was so freaked out he went and hid in a corner of the bedroom by Miss Moose's bed and slept there all night. Jewel and I could not have cared less about the fireworks - this is something that Mom and Dad were very happy about.

As the summer continues Dad has all kinds of ideas about training and of course, you will hear about them here! Have a great week - I'll be poodling!

I am Hugh

Busy Day...

It was a busy day for us. We worked on getting the pool open and the water ready so that Jewel & I can swim. You might ask about the other pack members...well, Miss Moose will swim if you make her, but she is tall enough in the shallow end that she ends up walking around and Marcus does not like the water at all. He acts like you tried to kill him if Mom takes him in the pool. He won't talk to anyone the rest of the day. The pool had a frog living in it. He has been sent packing over the fence to the canal. There is a lot of algae in the bottom of the pool - more than last year Dad says. Since Dad put the shock in the pool this morning the water has cleared a lot, but we still have a few days before we can swim - plus, Dad has to get the solar panels on the shop up and going to filter the water through. The solar panels heat the water and makes the water "lovely" according to Mom.

Dad had a furlough day on Friday - so all of us poodles were out and about the yard all day. Jewel was getting groomed. Moose and I had a pretty good time. Saturday found part of our back fence broken by kids climbing on it to get to the back of our big shop to spray paint it. Mom called the Sheriff. Mom and Dad were not happy. This is the second time the shop has been painted, but the first time they have broken something to do it. Someone mentioned that we poodles were not doing a very good job of guarding. It was in the wee hours of the morning and Mom is glad that we weren't out there because she says that you just never know what people will do to an animal.

Dad and I worked on buck retrieves, but I kept getting distracted. There was some creature in the yard the night before and my nose kept getting tickled by a funky smell. Dad wasn't buying it, but Mom was because she saw the vole that was skittering across the yard. Whew! Needed some back up.

Today is Father's Day...not sure if I helped much with the yard work or made more work, but boy did I have a good time!

So maybe this next weekend I will have some pictures of Jewel and I swimming. I hope it is warm enough because it sure looks fun.

I am Hugh

Guest Blog

Since Jewel has come to live with us I thought it was only fair that she do a guest spot on my blog. (Guest spot, hear that Jujubee? Only every once in awhile!)

Hi! After a little bit of a rough start I am finally in my forever home with my "big" brother Hugh. Since he was first born and I was born 8th out of 10 AND he is 22 pounds bigger than I am so I think that I can officially call him my BIG brother - plus it makes him feel superior.

I like birds a lot just like Hugh does. I track them in the trees and in the sky. There was actually a seagull in our pool today! Dad said he though the gull was eating our frogs. Dad said that I may like birds more than Hughie! How crazy is that. Dad said that I would be good for pigeons, doves and upland game. Dad says that September, during Uncle Tom's birthday weekend in the desert, is when we will hunt grouse. I don't know what that is, but Dad said it, so it must be something I would like.

Mom thinks that I would be good at agility and is thinking hard, she said, about enrolling me in some classes. She said that I can jump like nobodies business. She also said that I am very smart and will be her fearless one. I sure am curious about most things that is for sure.

I don't know yet when I am starting bird training, but Mom has started me on obedience. She says that I am quick. The only thing I don't seem to want to stop doing is jumping up on her. She doesn't like that and I don't know why. I am little, it's not like I will knock her over or something. Mom says that if Hannah lived here I would be a perfect 4H partner for her because I am just the right size for her. Sounds like that would be fun. I sure do like kids and people.

Well, Hugh is elbowing me to get off of the computer. I am sure that Mom will arrange for me to appear again. I sure am glad to be here. Thanks First Mommy Vicki - you are the best.

Most sincerely, Autumn Shades Justa Royal Gem

Okay, I am back people. So that is Jewel, the tiny but mighty one. Yeah, she'll be back, but for now...well, we have poodle stuff to do!

I am Hugh

Training

My sister, Jewel, and I have started training together. I heard Dad say that Jewel was going to be the one to watch as she is super smart and will get bored even quicker than me. I cannot imagine that there is anyone smarter than me, but well, I suppose Dad would know. I'm just sayin'!

Watching Mom work Jewel through the patio door it looked like Jewel was having a good time. Mom worked Jewel a little with a lead on and then decided that she really didn't want to deal with that and worked her without it. Looked like it went well. Jewel can do the sit, down and walk with me by hand signal fairly well and it was only her first session! Mom's secret? When we were at the coast we picked up some blueberry organic dog treats and while I like them - Jewel is crazy about them.

While my job will be hunting, Mom is still thinking hard about Jewel and her doing agility. She said that Jewel can jump like nobodies business and she said she is really super quick. I know she is quick because she can get by me and big ol' long legged Moose hasn't been able to catch me, but Jewelly girl can! It is fun to get caught sometimes.

As soon as Mom catches Jewel up to me then they are going to start buck training. Dad said he thought it would be interesting to do tandem training and see how it goes. I don't know what that is yet, but I think it means Jewel and I get to run the field! What do you think?

Sounds like fun to me!

I am Hugh

Jewel Came Home

Well, Jewel came home. Yep, that is me and my full blood sister Jewel playing in the back yard on Wednesday. Jewel went to live in Reno, Nevada. Her new mom passed away, as did Jewel's playmate Indy. Jewel's former owner's daughter lives just down the road from my Mom. The daughter contacted Mom through her poodle rescue program. Mom said as soon as she heard the description of the dog that was or could be coming in she said every bell and whistle went off in her head and she knew it was Jewel.

It is all very sad and we imagine that the last few weeks for Jewel have not been very great. But, as Mom says, we are putting that all behind her and focusing on what her purpose will be. Dad told Mom that Jewel will fetch. He says that she brings the buck right back to him - so that is a great start for my sister. Mom has great visions of two maple poodles hunting in a field and blowing the lab competition away! Nice dream if I do say so myself!

Jewel and I recognized each other right away. Mom said she always wondered if it was possible. First Mommy said that she has a friend that is an animal behaviorist and that she said yes, we would recognize one another. Mom says we play the same. Jewel is a lot smaller than me and that gives her greater speed and she can turn tighter turns. Moosey cannot catch up with me when I focus on what I am doing, but Jewel sure can! She cannot play with me for the next 7 days though. She had an operation like the one I had but she has a lot of stitches and I was just glued back together and never knew I had an operation. Jewel knows. Mom said she is a really sweet girl. She hopes with the right food and exercise that Jewel will grow a bit. Mom said that she thinks Jewel will always be a petite Standard, maybe reaching 35 pounds if she is really muscled from training. Mom said that too many bones are very prominant on Jewel right now, but that will change quickly.

Jewel is really attached to Mom. Mom went running today and left Jewel and Dad told Mom that she sat at the door and cried for a good 5 minutes before she gave up and sat on the couch to look out the window. Marcus is not too thrilled with the attachment, but so far he hasn't tried to beat Jewel up like he does me.

Mom said that she has not had a poodle that is so cuddly since Jax died. Mom raised Jax from a little puppy, like me, and was always hauling him around. She tells me stories about him. She says that Jax was her laughter. I don't know what that means really, but I think he made her happy. Mom told Dad that while he was gone it was her and all the poodles on the bed and that Jewel and I got our positions (Jewel curled up against Mom's stomach and me against her legs) and then Marcus on the other side of her legs. A friend asked how she could sleep that way and she said that she loved it. She said she was in a pile of poodles and it was bliss!

I sure do look forward to when my sister can run with me again!

I am Hugh

Last week was a very good week for me! It was my Mom's birthday and she and Dad rented a house on the beach. I didn't know what on the beach meant, but I soon found out!!! It meant sea birds & crows to chase, it meant wind and wet paws, it meant water to chase with Dad, it meant climbing on rocks...wow, it meant ADVENTURE! They took me every where with them. I still don't really like other people much. Mom and Dad have been working hard to expose me to many different situations and people. They said they don't know what my problem is - but they are going to continue to work with Liz to get me going in the right direction instead of turning it into a bigger problem.

Dad was sick with bronchitis last week too. He had to sit up a lot so he wouldn't cough so much. At home I would usually follow him and stay with him while he watched t.v. or something. But while on vacation I decided to guard Mom when ever she was left alone. Mom said that I was taking advantage of Mom time because Marcus is always in my face if I try to spend to much time with Mom. She said I was trying to make sure not a second went by that I didn't tell her that I was there for her. Dad said he was surprised the first morning when I left him and got back into bed with Mom. I think Mom liked it though. She said she slept good - that had to do with my guarding abilities I am sure. Don't you?

I really think the ocean is pretty okay. I didn't get hit with any waves really because the tide was pretty far out according to Dad. I did have some water run over my toes a time or two that caused me to jump a little, but other than that it was just long walks to me. Mom said that I was doing typical poodle stuff though. What does she mean? Well, Mom says that poodles are picky about where they will go to the bathroom. I would not go on the beach. I would wait, even if it was a long time, until we got back to the house and I could go in the yard. I guess I am weird that way. I like to know where I am going?

I got to meet a crab! No, not my Mom, silly - a red rock crab. A fisherman caught one while he and Dad were talking crabbing and he set the crab down on the rock and I barked him good! I wasn't going to let him get my nose with those big pinchy things!

So we are home again. It is good to be home. My Mom has a few more days off to recoup (she says) from their vacation and Dad is out of town all week.

Remember when I wrote about my sister Jewel going to live in Reno? Well, it turns out her Mommy died unexpectedly and then her friend Indy died too. It was really sad. Mom got a call today from the animal search folks who call her if a poodle has been brought in or if someone is inquiring about rescue. Mom had a very weird feeling that it was Jewel. Mom said her name is now Gracie. Depending on what Dad says - Gracie Jewel may come live with us. Mom says we need another poodle like we need a hole in our heads..not sure what that means...but she follows it up with..now wanting another poodle to love and give good life to? Well, she says, that is another story entirely! Gracie Jewel may have some problems if she comes to live with us - but at least we know lots of people who can help us get the help she needs to be healthy.

I am off for a snooze with my friend Miss Moose and I am sure that Marc will tag along.

I am Hugh

Here I Am

Grabbed Mom's camera...snapped a quick one. Here I am looking at you!

It was a busy weekend. Dad went turkey hunting. We had fun with turkey calls. I get really excited hearing turkey's! Dad did not bring home what Mom calls "the BIG chicken," but he had a really good time.

I got to work on the dog kennel today. Well, I more than likely, mostly, just got in the way and almost got myself hammered a couple of times, but it was work I tell you. You have to watch for the boards, stay clear of the hammer, make sure you don't bump the level and get used to all the hammering. It is a lot of work. Honest.

Dad is putting up a barrier wall so that it is harder to see us from the bike path that runs behind our house. It isn't such a big deal in summer when the trees are in full bloom, but in Winter Mom doesn't like the clear view down into the kennel. There has been vandalism to the back of our shop and anyone else's property that faces the path and Mom is wanting to minimize any curiousity we may create during the day. It also serves as a little extra protection from the weather. It has gone up pretty quickly.

Miss Moose and I played hard this weekend too. It was the first real Spring day we have had. Mom and Dad didn't need jackets and Mom washed her car in the front yard.

Not a lot of training this weekend - but sometimes you have to just take a day off to enjoy the sun.

I am Hugh

Race Day...

My Mom ran a couple of races this weekend in the same day and I, out of all the poodles, got to go! I had a really good time. I have no pictures..I was too busy watching everything to take a picture.

There were lines for everything..lines for bathrooms, lines for water, lines for bananas (if you raced), lines for medical treatment. Whew, people every where!

The morning started out pretty cold and I was really shy. A Westie came over to say "hi!" but he was just too in my face for me. I growled at a lab. It's owner wasn't too impressed with that. My Uncle Tom said not to worry. I had a lot of people tell me that I was cute and wanted to pet me. One was a really tall guy who said he had poodles at home, but I didn't like him. My Dad said he seemed like a nice guy. I didn't care. A mother and a daughter came along and I liked them a lot. Then there was this older guy. He said that he had run the Pear Blossom for the last 10 years or so and he and Dad talked hunting. The guy had a puppy lab at home. He got down on his knees in front of me and rubbed me all over. Dad said to Mom that the guy even rubbed me on the head and I didn't have a problem with him. Dad said by the end of the visit I was ready to go home with the guy. Dad said he thought the guy reluctantly said goodbye to us when his friend caught up with him.

I was doing good and thankfully Dad moved us across the street to watch the 10 Mile race start because when they did the count down and they hit 1 the Mountain Men shot off about 10 muzzle loaders at the same time and scared the begeezus out of me! Dad said he was glad he didn't stay where he was originally because I would never have wanted to be around a gun again it was so loud. Mom even said to Dad that when she was in the starting line up and the guns went off that she said out loud to Heather that she hoped I wasn't too close by.

My day started out rough, but by the end of the day I was pretty much into the groove and not having a problem with anyone. I got a rest when Mom came back from her 10 mile race and we had to get some protein in her fast. Dad put me in the truck in my crate and I took a well deserved nap. Being a cute poodle is lots of work.

I am Hugh

Snow Day!

Just wanted to share a picture - this went to my First Mommy and my Mom wasn't going to put it on my blog, but she said she liked the picture so much she told me to use it.

Here I am this morning enjoying a good look see in our snow covered yard. No hunt training today...

I Am Hugh

Ooops, I Did It Again...

• Soooooo, Kissty Kissty, my groomer, forgets sometimes that I will chew through anything and everything if given half a chance. I only kill my toys, Moose's or Marc's scarves, Moose's collars, kennel rugs or my leash. The picture is all that is left of my field leash that Dad just got me.

Mom got a call yesterday from Kissty asking her where Dad got my newly purchased leash. Mom said, "Whhhyyy?" Kissty said she put me in my crate for just a minute to run downstairs and pick up another dog and then she remembered my "issues" and she ran back upstairs and I had already chewed through the leash in three spots!

This is the second time I have done this to her. Kissty was worried that Dad would be mad at her. Mom set her straight - Dad would be mad at me, but not at her. Kissty Kissty said I was being groomed for free. Dad didn't like that. He thinks (and so do I) that Kissty works hard to make me look good and she should get paid for it. Kissty told Mom that Hugh is like her baby too, so that is what she was going to do and Dad could pay her all he wanted and she just wouldn't cash the check.

Mom heard from First Mommy that my Dad, Drifter, chewed through his hunting vest this last trip out hunting with his Dad. First Mommy said that they think it was because Drifter was mad because he didn't get to go in and eat with everyone else and that he got stuck in his crate, so he chewed his vest up. Mom says that I get bored easy. She says that I am worse than any smart dog (including the Border Collie Clancy) that she has ever had when it comes to getting bored easy. Mom wishes there was something she could do for me during the day so that I wasn't so bored, but she really is reluctant to leave much in the kennel with me anymore because I am so good at detroying stuff.

I did chew up Moosie's collar really good. Mom was pretty mad at me for that because it had skulls on it and it was pink. I don't know what that has to do with anything, but apparently that was really important.

Today was a big snow day. Not good for Mom, but great for me and my pals!!!

I am Hugh

Shy boy...

Here I am sitting pretty for Mom tonight. Mom and Dad took me to a socialization class yesterday. Yes, I went through puppy training. Yes, I get hunting training every single day. I have started doing a behavior my Mom says she does not understand. I have started shying away from people, unless they are my people. Jerry, one of the puppy class trainers, said that most people have very bad manners in the dog world. He said that a lot of people want to touch the top of a dogs head when they greet them and that is not good manners to me. But, Mom says that it is more than that. I have taken to growling at people with hooded coats. I particularly don't like teenage boys. Mom and Dad take me everywhere, even the old folks home and the only problem I had there was a guy moving in a wheel chair and he wasn't very nice to me. I think he called me a dirty name, but I am not sure, as I haven't heard many.

When we got to the training facility Mom, Dad and myself went in to the large play area and there were some dogs from puppy class - Bianca (she is a pomeranian and really likes Dad and she doesn't like most men at all), Riley (Border collie who is pushy and not my favorite) and Goldie (another Border Collie that I do like) and part of Liz's pack was there...I like Shadow, he is a big black shepard type dog, because he is so calm and Buck..he is a mixed breed and I like him too. There was a black lab, I don't remember his name, but I didn't really like him at all. I started out really nervous. Mom said I had my tail tucked as far up as I could get it. Gradually, I started to relax. Jerry came up to me a couple of times and it was okay. Liz came over and well, I think I just like the smell of Liz because I repeatedly went over to her. By the end of the play time I was very okay with Jerry coming over.

Mom and Dad said that they are just going to have to work extra hard to expose me to safe, yet people busy, places so that I get comfortable in my own skin again. Mom isn't sure if it is my age or just who I am. I don't know. I am just a puppy still. No one believes that I am only 8 months old.

We went to Petco today and I picked out stinky cow hooves for Miss Moose, Marcus and myself. Hey, that reminds me...what happened to my hoof...

I am Hugh

Down Time

Here I am hanging out with Mom on the couch the other day. If Mom is there then Marcus cannot be too far away and as you see he is in the picture dozing too.

It was a hard month of February around here and I was not allowed on the computer by myself. Mom and Dad have been busy taking care of Mom's Mom and all of her affairs. She has been really sick and in the hospital now for a month. Mom's Mom had a big operation that Grandpa Wally had, but has not recovered well from it, so she is in assisted care until she can care for herself again.

Since I went through obedience training Dad has been focusing more on my retrieving skills. Dad says he will be the only one out in the field that has to do the Cincinnatti Bengals call to get his dog to come in. Mom always yells, "Hooodeee whoooo, hughdehooo!" to get me to come in. Dad just shakes his head. My Mom said to Dad, "Hey his other nickname is Q-Tip and I could have started using that..which do you prefer?" Dad just smiles and shakes his head at her.

Mom and Dad have gotten several inquiries from people who are looking to buy a pup from my First Mom. Dad says he could talk about me and hunting all day and with anyone.

Mom said she is looking forward to warmer weather and getting the pool open again for swimming for me. I am not sure that I remember it, but Mom said I was really good at it.

Mom has had her Mom's dog, Tiera, here for the last month. She is a cairn terrier and she thinks she can kick my butt, but she really can't, butttt, I let her think she can. She and I are fast friends and run all over my yard. I tackle her and she snarls like a raccoon and comes at me, but guess what?? She can't catch me, but I sure do catch here! I like running circles around her. Mom says she thinks that I will be sad when Tiera finally goes back to her home, but hey, she can visit right?

Marcus and I went to the vet this past Saturday. Mom and Dad have always been so impressed with my attitude in public and that I am reserved, but not paranoid. Well on Saturday there was a 19 or so year old kid in the waiting room with a hood on and I was having none of him. He came over to me with his hand out and I growled him back! Mom and Dad were very surprised at my reaction. I continued to look at him slyly and growl. Mom said she thought it was the hood he was wearing. Me? I just didn't like him and I like most.

Well, I am not sure when I will be back. I hope it is soon. Mom is hopeful that her Mom will be able to leave the hospital next week and then it will be back to regular Sunday blogs and pictures. Be good people and hug your dogs if you got 'em!

I am Hugh

Snow Day!

It was a total Poodle Snow Day today!! Miss Moose and I had Poodle Wars 2010, but little Marcus had to come out and jump in and both Mom and Dad yelled at him to get back in the house. We are kinda big and they think he would get smashed! After Mom ran Moose back in the house too I ran and ran and ran and ran. I actually decided to lay down in the snow I ran so much.

Dad says that I am much birdier that Oliver, TGH - that is an amazing compliment. Mom and Dad were watching me run the birds in the trees from one tree to the other. Dad said that Oliver, TGH wasn't one to look up in the trees and that I am constantly looking at the trees for movement. He said that is good.

I did a lot of sliding across the decking today too! Woo hooo...just a little bit of snow produces a lot of slide!

I don't think I realized just how tuckered out I really am. Hmm..I think I am going to go beg a bone from Mom and naw myself to sleep. Yep, all that running...Ooohhhh MMMooooommm!

I am Hugh

Itty Bitty

Mom wanted me to load this picture up. She received it from my First Mommy - it is ME just a few hours old. I'll be back tomorrow to write my blog. Gosh, I sure am cute! Oh Mom & Dad took me with them to the vet to get Bella's beak shortened. Dr. Shaw was there to talk to me without her white coat. That is when she is just Tawnia. Dad weighed me and I am just shy of 7 months old and I weigh 39.3 pounds!! A little bit bigger than Bella's 99 grams!

I am Hugh

Growing into It...

Well, I am learning to carry my own stuff. My pack doesn't fit me the correct way just yet, but Mom says, "Any day now Hughie." I think I look pretty good! What do you think? We were walking through PetCo today looking for super thick rawhide chips and Dad saw this pack on sale. Mom says that I have to try new stuff all the time so that I am prepared for anything and not freaked out by much.

Speaking of "freaked out!" Friday, Mom did a terrible thing. She locked me up in Moosey's big show crate and took Moose and Marcus to see KisstyKissty. It was rotten. Mom said she was sorry, but that I had never been alone before and she did not want me making such a fuss that Animal Control would be called and told I was being abused. She said that is what it sounds like when they leave for work in the morning sometimes. Mom said she would rather me make that big of a stink in the house where no one could hear me. She did leave CNN on for me to watch, but it didn't matter I about had a heart attack when she left me!!

Mom came back at lunch and I put my head low and rubbed up against her trying to tell her that I would never again do what ever it was that I might have done to get thrown in that box!! I even pee'd on her shoes to show her that I was really serious! I did chew a hole in Moose's bed that was in the crate with me. That didn't make Mom happy. She took that out, so I wouldn't ruin it further and put a big towel in there. When Mom had to go back to work she got out the cookies and I fell for it and back in the box I was! Unbelievable! I got so upset this time that I threw up, shredded the towel (I didn't even eat any of it - just shredded it) and scrapped the top of my nose. Mom told me, when she got home, that I have serious separation anxiety. I don't know what that means, but I think it means I don't want them to leave me alone ever, ever, ever again!!

I am Hugh

Naughty but Handsome

I spent Friday with Kissty Kissty...otherwise known as Mom's friend Kristy and groomer for me, Miss Moose and Marcus the Mighty. The picture above was taken by Mom. She says that I look really handsome even if I do have a tail that looks like a Q-tip. I have on a really cool paw print scarf, but you really cannot see it in this picture.

Kissty does my grooming in stages. Before she cuts me she takes me outside so that I can go to the bathroom. Kissty told Mom that I peed and peed and that a client showed up so she ran back up to the shop with me and put me back in my crate with my leash on. It was only for a minute while she delivered a dog to their owner. When Kissty Kissty came back I had chewed through my leash! Kissty called Mom and said, "Jaime, we have a problem." Of all the things that ran through Mom's mind, my leash was not one of them and when Kissty told her what it was Mom was pretty much releaved and could not have cared less! See Mom and Dad have had some hard times when it comes to our family of dogs (Jax, Mom's best friend passed away in 2004, Tessy Too Too (Dad calls her the best babysitter dog) had cancer, and Oliver Bean, TGH passed in January of last year) and what ran through Mom's mind was that something really, really bad had happened to me. She wasn't happy about my chewing, but she definitely wasn't mad at Kissty. Kissty said she is getting me a new leash. Mom and Dad both have told her not to worry, but she isn't listening. Mom thinks that I am chewing so much because of my molars coming in.

Mom even read today that my brother, Liam, is busy chewing his way through his Mom's house too! Oh and First Mom wrote that Jewel (my sister) chewed up a Coach bag. At least I haven't touched anything expensive, but still, it is kind of funny that we are all chewing up what ever we get. So it has to be teeth, right? =]

When Dad picked me up he had Moose's special purple lead and I tried chewing through that too so Mom has to get Moose a new lead too. She cannot find a purple one like the one Moose has now, so she isn't very pleased with me.

Mom took Miss Moose in to the vet so that Dr. Shaw could see Moose for herself and that she was really doing well. Moose had lots of kisses to give to Dr. Shaw. Mom says that Moose really likes her doctor.

I had a pretty uneventful day today. I went for a ride with Mom and Dad at to the refuge. No hunting today out there, but it was a nice ride.

I am Hugh

Almost a Christmas picture

Mom says this is an "almost" Christmas picture. She said it made her laugh trying to get everyone to face the camera at the right time after Dad hit the self timer...then it got frustrating. She said she liked this one the best even though her head was not fully in the picture because it shows the chaos of trying to get it to work.

I did my best to pay attention.

This is my favorite photo...I had something to say and Dad was keeping me in place. Sometimes a poodle will foil a planned photo session every time...that is what Mom says anyway.

I am Hugh

I am a Traveller

• Mom took this picture right when we got home and after 9 or so hours on the road. I look tired, huh? We went to Roy, Washington to see Grandpa Wally, Kathy, Craig, Logan & Hannah. Mom says that I am now a seasoned traveller. Moose went with us too and she did really well too. Since Moose has surgery and she needed meds and special attention Mom didn't want to leave her at home. So they decided to leave Marcus at home with Bella and take Moose instead. I think it made Mom feel better.

I had a really good time. I saw some really big DOGS and they made me nervous. Dad said they were called horses. Miss Moose got to go nose to nose with 16 baby rabbits. Mom said she was in heaven with all the cuddliness.

I think Mom would have liked to stay another day. I think she enjoyed talking to Dad's sister Kathy and hugging on the kids. I liked the kids too...that Hannah, well, she really knows how to rub a puppy belly that is for sure. She put me right to sleep.

Mom watched the Rose Bowl today and was disappointed that "her Ducks" didn't win the game. She said Ohio just played a better game today.

Mom cleaned the master bedroom from top to bottom today and got rid of some old socks..wow, was that fun to tear around the house with those! Dad was gonna yell at me for stealing socks until he found out that I had taken them fair and square right from Mom. They eventually took them away from me. How sad.

It rained mostly today and melted most of the snow that came down Wednesday night. I had been cooped up so much that I was really bugging everyone, so Dad took me for a really long walk. It was a lot of fun.

Happy New Year!

I am Hugh