Did I take Mom and Dad for walks or did they take me? Who is in charge of the interspecies relationship? Maybe dogs serve humans, but pets (like myself) are served by humans?
It is my opinion that in a well run household, the dog is in charge.
Zorro says he is in charge in our family but he is delusional. Loba is the boss.
I am a young lady in my first heat. I live with a good family, but they just do not understand me. I like to go out and meet boys without being on the leash, but they don’t let me go anywhere on my own! I just want to have some fun, what is the harm in that? I am getting desperate, I want out, I must get away!
The worst thing is that yesterday I overheard them saying that I should get fixed asap. Dear Aunt Loba, time is short, I am thinking about escaping tonight. Should I go for it?
Hot and Desperate
Dear Hot and Desperate,
I somewhat sympathize with your dilemma; I was myself spayed at an early age and never had puppies. My dear adopted son Flurry has been good company though.
You say there is no harm in having fun with the boys when you are on heat. That is plainly wrong, you will get pregnant and you need to think if you really want to have puppies on your own, the father will almost certainly not be around. Do you intend to go back to your family after your fling? Will you even find the way back? Do you have resources to raise your pups to adulthood, or will they suffer and maybe die?
This is your decision; all I can say is that the feeling of desperation will soon go away, and you will forget all about meeting boys and start playing fetch again. Especially if you get spayed.
Good Luck
Aunt Loba
Something shocking happened on Earth yesterday. Daddy took Misty for a long walk and all seemed fine. Two hours later she suddenly vomited and had difficulty standing up and was wobbling around, she was very ill. We thought she might die.
The vomit smelled of nicotine, Misty had been poisoned by eating a throw away cigarette! Dad took her to the emergency clinic but the vet could not really do anything.
Fortunately, Misty recovered the next day. Mom took her for a walk and picked up all cigarette butts that she could find on the road.
Cigarettes are stupid and poisonous. Poor Misty!
Dear Aunt Loba,
I am a mother of 8 weeks old octuplets and we live in the wild woods. Now my pups want to go to karaoke with the coyotes, but I think they are still too young. They are very good and smart pups and I totally trust them, but I am still uncomfortable for them to mix with the coyote crowd. My pups says that I am neurotic and overprotective, and that all their friends are going. What do you think Aunt Loba? Am I being unreasonable? Should I let them go?
Misgivings in the Woods
Dear Misgivings,
You are not unreasonable, and you must not be stupid. Your pups are far too young to venture out anywhere on their own, and they are not trustworthy, and possibly not so good either. Follow your instincts and make sure they stay around you all the time, their lives are at stake. If possible, move to a better neighborhood, or even better, go to an animal shelter where your pups will get an opportunity to find good work with humans. There you can get fixed as well.
Good Luck
Aunt Loba
Dear Diary,
Today Misty was for a walk when she saw some deer and she got very excited. She managed to get out of her harness and she chased the deer into the woods! I was appalled by her bad behaviour.
Zorro said she was not chasing the deer, she was herding them off the road for their own safety.
“Yeah, sure,” said Loba, and she rolled her eyes.
Mom tightened Misty’s harness when she got back.
I have now been a year in Doggy Heaven. I miss Mom and Dad, but I have met Loba, Zorro and Aunt Kara and they are good company to me. Misty is doing a good job looking after Mom and Dad, so we do not have to worry about them anymore.
We have found the perfect property in the shared Heaven for dogs and humans, and we have put deposits down on the ground, so it is reserved for the future. (Yes, those kinds of deposits work here.)
It has many fruit trees and a vegetable garden, a nice view and lots of walking trails nearby. Loba and Zorro have started to build a doghouse in the garden, and I have ordered a people’s house to be built, I prefer that to a doghouse. It will have a fireplace.
Aunt Kara, I and Loba have ordered a plush settee for us to sit on, but Zorro says that he does not want to take part in such decadence. Aunt Kara says she will sleep outside when it is too hot inside from the fireplace.
The house will be ready when Mom and Dad arrive with Misty in the future.
We will live the good life while we wait; I am getting lots of tummy rubs, Loba is roaming around, Zorro is barking at wildlife and Aunt Kara is digging in the snow.
Cheers, Diary
Flurry D. Dog
Dear Dogs in Heaven,
Thank you all, and especially Flurry D. Dog for supporting me when I was living with cats. It was a difficult time for me, but with your help, I am now in a good home.
Thank you, Uncle Zorro for Dr. Bite Barks varmint book, it is remarkably interesting, and I am learning how to deal with all sorts of intruder critters. I promise to keep the deer away from Dad’s vegetables.
Thank you, Aunt Loba for telling Mom to adopt me. I have heard that many dogs will ask you for advice on their problems. No, I am not able to climb over the fence, but I am working on my skills.
Thank you, Aunt Kara for telling Loba that I was a good candidate for the job with Mom and Dad. I have not yet encountered snow, but I look forward doing some digging when I get the opportunity.
I am taking my job assignment very seriously and I will not let you down.
Sincerely
Misty
Dear Aunt Loba,
I live on the streets on Earth, and I have a boyfriend. We once had a litter, but he did not help me at all looking after the little ones. Instead, he went to live with a girlfriend, she is a real b….. She threw him out for food stealing and fortunately, he is back with me. My boyfriend says he has changed, and he would like to have another litter, but I am not sure, do you think I can trust him? He is so handsome, and I like him to stay around.
Uncertain and confused
Dear uncertain and confused,
The answer is clear and easy. No, you cannot trust your boyfriend, and I am at a loss to understand what is handsome about him. I suggest you take him to the vet and tell him he will get a really yummy meal if he goes inside. With any luck, they fix him.
PS. You should try to team up with his ex-girlfriend instead.
Aunt Loba
To Mommy somewhere in the mills,
Dear Mommy,
I am writing to tell you I am well. I had a rough time after we lost contact on the streets, but a kind lady eventually brought me to her home. She was nice and gave me lots of food, the only problem was that she had many cats, and I developed a cat allergy and things were rough.
The dogs in Doggy Heaven took on my case and pleaded for me to get a new home. I have now been adopted by nice people and I am living the life as an only pet!
I am enjoying comfy beds, lots of toys and a well stocked food cupboard.
You would not believe the comfort I have; I wish you could join me. I have three different beds; my favorite has a cozy roof. I have lots of toys and a yard to play in. I get three meals a day, apart from healthy kibble, I get soft food and sardines, even real meat from the best kitchens. Treats are plenty. I have a big bone that I have hidden in the closet amongst the socks just in case my humans want it back.
During the day I can walk in the garden and do as I please. We take walks in the neighborhood and I have new doggy friends. Sometimes we go to the dog park and play, play play! My only duties are to cuddle Mum and Dad and keep the garden free of intruders. The patrol job is easy, the property is fenced so no real danger there. I fell on my four paws!
I have heard that you are back at the puppy mills. You must be up for retirement soon? I am sending some treats.
Your long lost but still loving puppy Misty.
PS. Have you worked out who my Dad is?
Zorro is very enthusiastic about Misty; he keeps on about her all day. There is no end to the praise. Misty is learning quickly, Misty is loyal, Misty is friendly, Misty has a good character, Misty has integrity, Misty is a team player, and most of all: Misty is not frightened of the deer. She runs along the fence and barks at them in a very frenzied way.
“What a change to see such youthful energy,” Zorro says, and he looks at Loba and myself with disdain. “Misty is showing great promise as a guard dog, a lot of potential for the future. And such lovely personality too!” Then he gave her the highest work assessment.
“Notice that she cannot do jobs outside the fence,” said Loba.
“She has potential for the future,” Zorro answered.
“Potential to be considered too old once she is on top of the job,” said Loba dryly.
Then she announced that she is quitting Zorro’s Zecurity. She is starting her own company, giving advice to dogs in trouble. Dogs are invited to submit questions to “Aunt Loba’s Advice”. I will read the letters and write the answers that she dictates.
Zorro wondered how much she thinks she will earn, but Loba said it is charity work as she is fully supported in Heaven. I guess that means I will not be paid either.
Zorro is moaning that he is now without outside the fence capacity, but he better not look at me. Loba says that Zorro’s Zecurity have no jobs anyway so it does not matter. Doggy Heaven is safe.
Angel Dog Diary 