0 Staring Pooches

During our SociaBulls walk last weekend, several of us got into a conversation about the main thing that our pooches do that is really unnerving, staring. Lucky for us only one of our pooches is a starer, Miss M.

There always seems to be thoughts racing through Miss M's head and oftentimes it appears as if Miss M is trying to communicate one or many of these thoughts by staring. Oftentimes, we have no idea what she is trying to tell us.

If she is hungry she will make that well known annoying complaining noise that others tend to find cute.

If she has to go out she will stare and A will ask her if she has to potty and she will race to the door waiting to go out.

And then comes the stare that is not associated with potty or anything else we can think of, she will just stamp her paws and stare at us for a while, for a long while. A will go through all the things she can think of and they range from "do you want to take a bath" to "do you want to go to a party" and nothing, not a single response, just two big bugs eyes staring at us and

Mr. B sauntering around in the background with not a single thought in his head.

Maybe one day we will figure out what she wants.
Check our Twitter page for musings and Vines from Miss M and Mr. B.

Check our Facebook page for more photos, comments, and story lines beyond the blog.

Detail: Staring Pooches

0 Pooches: Meet Mr. "Miss M Come"

We know Mr. B is good-looking.
We know Mr. B is loyal.
But we also know Mr. B isn't so bright.

When Mr. B joined our family, we thought we could train him to be a circus dog just like Miss M.
Little did we realize, he only has the capacity to remember 1.5 tricks: "Sit", sometimes "Down", and sometimes "Wave". (Remember this video??)

The one command he still doesn't know is "Come".
During our CGC test, that was the one section he nearly failed. The first time he did it, it seemed like he tried to run right past me. So they let him try it again.

The funny thing is, he won't respond to "Come".
He won't respond to "Mr. B Come".
But...once he hears "Miss M come" he will emerge from any dark corner of our home and come racing over knowing that something good is about to happen.
So does this mean he thinks his name is "Miss M Come"? Or is he maybe a bit smarter than we think?

Also:
This is what we mean
Redeeming.
Check our Facebook page for more photos, comments, and story lines beyond the blog.

Detail: Pooches: Meet Mr. "Miss M Come"

0 The SmoochaBulls

Though we often show in the videos, Miss M and Mr. B smooching new and old friends,

it is a very different story when we are alone.
Though the pooches love to smooch us whenever we are within smooching distance, I actively seek out the pooches to lay a big one on their furry heads.

Though I never had stuffed animals, I imagine that our lovable SmoochaBulls are just like stuffed animals, only alive.

While A believes that she is my most smooch able member of our household, she is unaware that when she isn't looking I'm smooching our pooches' fuzzy lunkhead, kissable little button noses and rosy cheeks. Don't tell A, but the pooches are my most SmoochaBull members of our household, especially Mr. B.

If you have SmoochaBull pooches, please share your SmoochaBull photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Detail: The SmoochaBulls

0 Miss M, just another...human?!

We always like to joke that Miss M thinks she is Mr. B's owner, but lately it seems like Miss M has evolved into another human among us humans.
As we're getting ready in the morning, Miss M strolls right into the bathroom asking, "What's up fellow humans?"

Once inside she will judgmentally stare, critiquing how I brush my teeth and how A puts on her makeup, then snort in disgust
Since we never take her advice, it becomes like 'Groundhog Day' with the same scenario each morning.

Being "her dog", Mr. B cannot defend himself whenever he wants some alone time and must succumb to the demands of Miss M.
Sometimes A tries to rationalize with Miss M, telling her that her dog just wants to be by himself. As Miss M contemplates A's plea, you can see her weigh the pros and cons in her head as she comes to her usual decision of ignoring all of Mr. B's wishes because she is his owner.

During the Polar Vortex, I spent hours perfecting the the baked butterscotch cookie, peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie and the snicker doodle (dog) cookies just to keep our home somewhat warm.
Now Miss M listens to our conversations and she can tell if we are planning to bake cookies. She makes it well known that she would like a snicker doodle baked for her...and reluctantly one for her dog.

Though it was difficult enough to have two heads of the household, it has become nearly impossible having the one head of the household, Miss M.
I am starting to believe A, Mr. B and I are all her pooches to Miss M and we must all bend to her will.

Also:
Clever!
Clever for real.
Check our Facebook page for more photos, comments, and storylines beyond the blog.

Detail: Miss M, just another...human?!

0 Pooches: On Second-Dog Syndrome

Miss M was my first dog I had by myself as an adult.
I wasn't always sure what I was doing. But felt sure I would do something wrong. And that I would 'break' her.
We became regulars at the vet. Every upset stomach, pawing at her ear, or scratched paw pad became a sign that she was breaking.

I felt like I could redeem myself from my inadequacies as an owner by getting her the best education. Miss M moved beyond the basic classes taking every single class I could find. With all of her classes, I would say she earned a Phd in dog-years, and the simultaneous tongue out with one-handed wave was a result of her research dissertation.

Mere years later, we got Mr. B.
And he joined us.
Mr. B rarely went to the vet.
He didn't even take his first training class until 3 years after we owned him.
He didn't get a long sought out collar to match his personality, but he merely got a collar to match Miss M.

Is Mr. B just the unfair recipient of "Second-Dog Syndrome"? And does anyone else find this happening in your home?

Also:
Miss M's very own pet.
Mr. B can never win.

Check our Facebook page for more photos, comments, and storylines beyond the blog.

Detail: Pooches: On Second-Dog Syndrome

0 Pooches: On Scuffed and Worn Collars

Probably the most ridiculous thing I stressed out about after adopting Miss M was finding her the perfect collar. I think it was ingrained in me that once I chose a collar, there was no going back. 

See, growing up our dogs always owned the same collar. They were simple, brown leather collars, but I felt that was the one thing that they ever really owned. It became symbolic that this collar, a gift we gave them when they came to live with us, was something they wore their entire lives. And it was the one thing they gave back to us after they passed away.

And much like making the perfect mix tape, I felt the pressure to find the perfect statement-making collar that she could wear for the rest of her life. It would not only show Miss M's personality, but also get people to stop calling her "dude".
So, I went for a pink collar with skulls. I thought this matched her stubborn, independent personality while letting everyone know she's a girl--though people still call her a "handsome dude".

Getting Mr. B a collar was easier; he would get a matching blue collar and they would become the 'hipster pirate dog duo'.

In the years since we've had our pups, their collars have become a bit scuffed, the leather breaking through the coloring. I have been tempted to just buy new collars.

Or possibly buy new versions of the same skull collars?

But, I think there's something to be said about the authenticity of something we gave them since they first came to live with us. Even if they do break down to bare, scuffed straps, I think it's significant because everything they've done in their lives made them that way. 

Or maybe I'm just being too sentimental.

Is there a sentimentality to collars? Or is it all about the fashion?

Also:

We do have this addiction.

Naked!

Check our Facebook page for more photos, comments, and storylines beyond the blog.

Detail: Pooches: On Scuffed and Worn Collars

0 Pooches: On Miss M's "Judgmental Resting Face"

I'm always joking that my dog gives me low self-esteem. Every time I turn around, I always see her staring back at me a bit like this:

But then I started reading a bit about this urban phenomena. 

Apparently, she is among a misunderstood group whose resting face naturally falls into an unpleasant, judgmental expression. 

Maybe we're unfairly seeing her natural face as judgmental:

When she might actually be quite happy and optimistic inside:

Does anyone else know a pup with judgmental resting face?

Also:

She does smile sometimes.

Her other urban phenomena. And here too.  

But we will always think this.  And that this is really going on.
Check our Facebook page for more photos, comments, and storylines beyond the blog.

Detail: Pooches: On Miss M's "Judgmental Resting Face"

0 Little SupaBed on the Praire

To much of A's dismay, the pooches and I have discovered the best place to hang out in subzero weather, our bedroom. Despite sealing all air leaks, covering drafty windows, using our ceiling fans and even installing a Nest thermostat, our heater has been working overtime just to maintain a decent temperature in the house.

Lucky for us, our bedroom tends to retain heat fairly well and now, just like the Ingalls family from Little House on the Prairie, we all live in one room. To maximize our only feasible subzero living space, the pooches moved the huge Molly Mutt from the living room and into the bedroom.

Using all the dog beds, the pooches and I have created the SupaBed for us to lounge and lay. A, on the other hand, believes she is above it all, or actually enjoys the plushness of our (human) bed.

It appears that we will be in this bitter cold streak for quite sometime, so that means that A will have to get used to the clutter of Supa-Bed. The pooches and I have even written this beautiful note to SupaBed. "SupaBed, we love you so much. Sincerely, Miss M, Mr. B and E"

Read more about the components that make up SupaBed:
SupaBed Part 1
SupaBed Part 2
Check our Facebook page for more photos, comments, and story lines beyond the blog.

Detail: Little SupaBed on the Praire

0 Mr. B Cuddles on His Own Terms

Though it is even hard for me to believe, there was a time that I was afraid to get close to Mr. B. When I first saw Mr. B on Petfinder I knew we were going to be best friends forever, well somewhat, luckily I was with A who ensured that we became best friends forever.

Even though Mr. B was part of our family a month before we started the blog, a part of me believed in some of the stereotypes about pit bulls and I was wary around him. Eventually, I realized my fear was irrational and Mr. B became my favorite pillow pet.

Apparently Mr. B believed in some of the negative stereotypes about humans. Though he would reluctantly get cuddled by me, he would not initiate the cuddle session. Overtime, Mr. B has realized that his fear was irrational and now whenever I am laying on the huge Molly Mutt bed he will snuggle up close to me, even though he has so much space, and now I am his favorite pillow pet.
Are you someone's favorite pillow pet?

Also:
Our Aggressions Towards Cuteness
My Favorite Room in the Winter
Check our Facebook page for more photos, comments, and story lines beyond the blog.

Detail: Mr. B Cuddles on His Own Terms

0 Miss Goofus and Mr. Gallant Part III: Dating Edition

We always joke how much our pups are like another set of commonly-mistaken-for twins-but-have-different-personalities duo: Goofus and Gallant. Much like Gallant, Mr. B is polite and respectful, while Miss M is like Goofus....and is not.
Let the pups show you what we mean:

Mr. B is an avid listener who enjoys hearing what his dates have to say:

Meanwhile, Miss M lets her date know she is talks too much:

Mr. B makes an effort to have a good time and enjoy the activities his date has planned:

While Miss M makes it obvious when she's not having a good time:

Mr. B is grateful for a nice night out and he gives appropriate G-rated smooches:

While Miss M not only does not return the kiss:

But she secretly sneaks some swigs from her date's drink:

In case you missed it:

Earlier Goofus and Gallant posts Part I and Part II.

As an Elf on a Shelf.

Check our Facebook page for more photos, comments, and story lines beyond the blog.

Detail: Miss Goofus and Mr. Gallant Part III: Dating Edition

0 Pooches: On Smiling Pooches

When I was first thinking of adopting a dog, I thought I had to know the type of dog I wanted ahead of time. 

I spent a lot of time perusing profiles on Petfinder, I would accompany my friend to the dog park where I would 'window shop' different types of pups, and I would spend my spare time incessantly browsing Happy Ending photos. It was only after seeing a Happy Ending photo of a widely-smiling pup that I realized what I wanted: a dog who could smile.
So naturally, I ended up with a pup like Miss M:

Who even stuns Mr B with her perpetual frown:

Luckily, I did get that smiling pooch. Mr B is the perfect anecdote with his wide-faced grin:

That can even make a grumpy-looking pup like Miss M show her biggest smile:

Do you have a smiling pup? Show us your smiling pup by posting on our Facebook page.

Also:
Behind-the-Scenes Secret
I never knew I wanted a pit bull.
Pink!

PS. Did you know Miss M and Mr B have broken their silence and they're sharing their thoughts on Twitter?

Detail: Pooches: On Smiling Pooches