My Name is not Mud

So, here I am getting ready to go to the park. The picture is a little blurry but you can see that I have a great seat for traveling.

Yesterday we went to the park and I saw Rosie the chocolate lab. I thought she was a puppy but she is 3 years old. I was off lead and we said hello to each other with the usual sniff and nudge. It was a great feeling to be friends with a dog and not go into my Merlin the dominant routine. I ran and played and loved every minute of it. We walked the big loop and that is a good sign. Do you want to know another good sign? There are parts of the trails that are muddy. Isn't that great? No snow or ice, just mud!(muddy trail)

That means that it is that time of year when we can start thinking about Spring. If all goes well, Mimi will be back in the park next week so she can stop sniffing me when I get home. Thant would be good for me.

Yesterday the big hill was icy but my person had little trouble with her spikes on and did just fine with the climb. Today however she committed to the hill and realized half way that it was much more slippery today than yesterday. Merlin to the rescue. I ran right over to her and between me and her walking stick she got up to the top with out and falling or serious injure. Hooray for Merlin who got cheese as a prize.

(View after you get up the big hill into the top fields)

Yesterday I almost got my snout smasher ripped off. I was so happy but my good 'ole hawk eye, Person saw what I was up to. She took off my muzzle and I was free. This was fine until from behind me came Mel (hound mix) and up ahead came Lola (black lab) and the both charged right toward me. This is my highest level of anxiety. My person got my muzzle back on just in time. I did make scary noises and chased both Mel and Lola. Lola laid down and gave up right away but Mel always stands her ground with me. I got the "focus" call and got put on lead. Mel and Lola and their peeps went one way and we went the other. Straight away I saw Kaya (I have been spelling it Kya but I was wrong. Pronounced KI~ya) Anyway, I was on lead and we very nicely said hello to each other which was good. She told me she was ferrell for about 6 months so she understands getting anxious and showing a little muscle now and then. Plus, Kaya's person talked about what a "good boy" I am. I like those 2 a lot.

So, both yesterday and today we saw a dog named Tarro (choc lab) She is young and very high energy which gives me that big time anxiety thing. Yesterday I was on lead and my person hung onto me really tight! Today, this person with her threw a tennis ball right in front of me and because I was on lead I could not even get into the game. No Fair!!! My Person even told them that in People Speak. Thanks My Person, I helped you on the hill and you pointed out hair ball behavior. We are 4 paws and 2 feet ahead of the game.

Merlin in the top fields)(Merlin muzzle free, temporarily)

While leaving today I saw Manny (black lab). We were near the parking lot so my person did not even let me say hello. I got into the car and my person talked to Clementine and Delhi's peeps in the parking lot. I waited sort of patiently even though I wanted to bark loud right in her ear!

It is a complete pawsability that I will sleep all day today!

Merlin the Freshly Walked and Pooped

Why is it Still so Cold

Good morning you wonderful pups and peeps. I have been a little cold even with my gorgeous coat on and dare I mention, my glorious tail. I feel like I have been telling you too much about my faults and not my assets. While I admit that I have been... well feisty. What does feisty mean really? Some see it as aggressive and touchy. I think I am just high-spirited, strong-willed, or confident beyond what I ought to be but I am still the same fabulous Merlin. People still say how handsome I am and the beauty of my tail has never been called into question. I think for my barkday I will ask for something that accents my tail in a way that will remind peeps and pups of its superior grandeur.

I need to mention Mimi to all of you. She is walking really well and when my person and I go to the park she gets really mad that she can not go. It will not be as long as last time. She should be back in a week or 2. I am much calmer when I go alone. It is a lot of pressure being charge of everything all the time.

I have had good walks lately but my person has had annoying people appointments so I have not been able to stay at the park long. She has promised that tomorrow we will go to the park and take out time and enjoy ourselves. I am going to have to bring out my puppy behaviors that made her crazy. You know like stealing things off of the bookcase and making her chase me around the sofa. I hope I do not have to resort to that but I might. Have a wooferful day.

Merlin is Just Checking In

I Want to Play

It was a beautiful day a the park today. The sun was out and it was easier to walk under foot.

Hooray for me and for all of you. I was a really good boy in the car today. I got off lead early and I ran away from my person. I ran over to a lab on lead. It might have been Boomer but I had my nose nabber on so it was OK. As we walked today we saw a woman with a dog we did not know so my person put me on lead. The dog was older and the person got nervous that I was going to be a jerk. My person talked to that person and we all just went our own way. I got off lead again and I saw Rosie (choc lab). She had her usual ball in her mouth. My person let me stay off lead. Even though Rosie is a young dog she does not make me get those scary I better be dominate sort of thing. My Person and Rosie's Person chatted about my snout snapper and my dominate pushy ways. She is a nice person and was really understanding ab out me behaving badly sometimes. Right after that we saw Nikita. I really wanted to play with her. She is a very fun loving little dog. I just love her. She is little and jumps in my face but I just want to play and play with her. She is the funnest little one. I can still play with my muzzle on but it is not as much fun. I hope next time I get to take my nose naber off and play with Nikita.

(Nikita the fun jumpy,little BDFF)

I saw Ridge (yellow lab) with a friend named Marley (yellow lab). I did OK but I ran after Ridgey because he kept jumping up on my person and being silly. With my muzzle on I did not seem nearly as scary. It still earned me a trip onto the lead. On the way out we saw another Chocolate Lab who was running all over the woods. There was a little Rat Terrier that was on lead too and looking for a way off. They seemed like fun dogs and I wanted to be the old Merlin so I could have fun.

When my person and I were leaving we saw Mel (hound mix) and Bella (Golden) getting out of their cars. They were on either side of my people mobile. My person put me in sit, stay. I stayed right there and did not pull or complain at all.

Mel has a muzzle too. She has it for the delectable poop treats. I knew as soon as I started wearing this thing it would be what every dog would want. I may have showed that I am not perfect but I am still a good example of some things to other dogs. I still got it.

Merlin the Trend Setter

Holy Break In Bat Dog

This is just an FYI session of Merlin's blog. We walked around the neighborhood today but the morning howl still reached my keen canine ears. Yesterday, I am not sure what time, a few people mobiles had their windows smashed in the parking lot of the Dog Park. See, I am always nervous around that area and now you know why!!! I am not sure of any further details but keep your really important dog toys hidden while your walking at the park.
I am sorry for the people and pups who had to return from a glorious walk to find that cat burglars had infringed on your private property.
Perhaps I could get a job patrolling the parking lot to make sure this does not happen again. Be careful out there everyone. Lets keep our Dog Park a happy and safe place for all!
Merlin the Security Guard

Freedom~~~

Sorry I forgot to blog yesterday. I bet you all want to know how Mimi is. She is just fine. We will see in a couple of weeks if she is done limping. She came home the same day of the surgery. She does sit around and whine a little now and then. It works out for her because some person goes and lays down next to her and gives her full snuggles.

I get up and try to get me some of that but I get shooed away. Jessie goes over and she gets good snuggles too. Injury and age get you far in this clan. I get snout smooshers and misunderstanding most of the time. Mimi and Jessie get snuggles.

Today however I did get privileges at the park that I earned. I got off lead right near the parking lot. That never happens anymore. I have to stay on lead until we are far into the park usually now. There was nobody around and I think my person wanted to watch her step so I got off lead. OK maybe I did not earn that one. While we were walking my person called me and made me sit and stay. To my surprise she reached down and took off the snout smasher. YAAAAHOOOO! Now, that one I think I earned

(Merlin running without a muzzle)

I ran into the woods and played all by myself. That worked out OK because I am my favorite dog. It was warm out this morning so we took a long walk. I saw the 2 Aussie's whose names I do not know but they are great dogs. I ran up to them and said hello with no problem at all. Soon we saw Kya and my person gave me the the "focus" and a little cheese but left me off lead with no nose grabber. It was fabulous. I want to point out that the Aussies and Kya are both dogs that walk up and do not jump around. That works just fine with me. It was fun to talk to other dogs and not feel "different". Later we saw Benji(French Bull Dog) and Trixie (long haired Chihuahua) My Person put me on lead and that was smart because that cute little Trixie jumped up near my face and that is one of the things that makes me charge. I made what I consider a warning sound but it did not matter because my person had me on lead already so everyone was in the doggie safe zone. I stayed on lead after that and soon the snout grabber went back on as we approached the parking lot. Well, at least I had a glimpse of Merlin the mellow and unrestricted. I'll keep following My Person's directions and perhaps I will find my old relaxed self.

Merlin the Freedom Finder

It stinks to be Mimi

This morning Mimi got put into the bathroom while Jessie and I had our morning meal. She got no food at all. She kept giving My Person those big, brown, soulful looking eyes but she still got nothing! My Bonus Person gave her 1 dog treat but she got in trouble for doing that! Mimi got put back in the bathroom while I was escorted into my seat in the way back of the people mobile. She did not get to come to the park with me this morning either. Finally, when she got to go out with my person and she brought her to the Special Vet to have her knee operated on again. What a bummer of a morning. This is a much smaller surgery than the one she had over the summer but it still messes up a dogs morning!
I, on the other paw, got to go to the park alone. We saw Harper and Abby as we were getting there they were leaving. We walked alone, me and My Person. It is very cold again and under paw it is icy and slippery. There is not a lot of running around to be done. My Person sort of has to work hard to stay upright so she does not give me all the alone time attention I deserve. No pictures being taken either because those furless paws of hers get too cold out of the gloves they wear.
It is way too complicated being a person. I can understand being a dog but being a person would be too much work. They do age well however. For instance, My Person is 336 yrs old in dog years. That is a pretty good thing. Our walk was brief because we had to get home and get Mimi off to surgery land. I told her to stop that fake limping thing or she would get caught in the web of attention seeking and shazam, she got caught. It is a fine balance in trying to get extra pets, snuggles and treats and getting taken to the Vet. I have made those mistakes myself. Last time I pushed too far I ended up with The Trainer coming to our house and having my Peeps learn all of my tricks. Now I get away with nothing!
Anyway, I will keep you all updated on Mimi and how the surgery goes. She gets to come home today so I will sleep next to her and keep a good eye on her.
Merlin the Good Big Brother

Yucko weather

We did not go to the park this morning because the weather was rainy, snowy yucko weather.

Mimi can not eat or go to the park tomorrow morning because she is having that little knee thing. She faked it too long and now she has to pay her dues.

I do have one thing to say that is important.

Happy Birthday My Person. I woof you!

Merlin the weather dog.

Insurance Policy

So, my person is thinking that this snout trap is an insurance policy. At least that is whet I heard her telling some other peeps. I still do not like it but I still can not get it off and I understand that if I do not let her put it on I do not get to go to the park. OK, Lets make a deal time I guess. I do get to say hey to other dogs more so eventually, I could maybe get it off if I get to go back to Merlin the good boy. I gotta find the right dog path to that place for sure.
So, we saw Harper (yellow lab) and Abby (black lab) shortly after we got to the park today. Harper went off into the woods before we even said "tail up good buddy!" He was having conflict avoidance with me. So, that worked out good. I said hello to Abby and that was fine. My tail gets in a knot when Abby and I see each other in the parking lot but in the park she is one of my BDFFs.
Harper avoiding me made me realize that if all dogs did that I would be a happy superior pup. One of the things my person has figured out is that I do not actually try to hurt dogs, just dominate them. It seems like after my initial charge of Merlin the great and powerful I chill and hang with my pups. So, the snout smasher helps others to feel comfortable that I won't hurt them during the initial charge. OK. What if all other dogs did the conflict avoidance technique. No problems at all. Oh wait, that would mean everybody else had to change their behavior instead of just me. So, what is wrong with that?
We saw the fabulous Harry, Ricky, (yellow labs x2) and their leader Tad (mini Yorkie). I tried to get Harry's ball but I could not pick it up in my mouth. Hair Balls! Their person snatched the ball up in the chucker and my person gave me the "focus" command. I got cheese and the ball game was over for Merlin.
Off we went and I had a fairly relaxing ride home. Our girl has a bad cold so she is laying on the sofa all snuggled up in a blankie! SNUGGLE time.
Merlin the Insured

Brilliant Morning!`

It is so sunny and beautiful out that I was shaking in my paws with excitement. It came true we went to the park. We had to bring my Bonus Person to the place that she goes to a lot. I do not really get what that is about but she always says something about her going there being related to us getting food and treats. Well, I miss you Bonus Person but see ya later!!!
When we got to the park today Abby (black lab) was arriving at the same time. I went a little nuts in the car but not too bad. After Abby and her person headed out a little I sat and stayed in the car until me person told me I could go. Bonus points for Merlin!!! Abby had to stay on lead because she is being a poopsickle eater!!!! My person is really glad that I do not do that. Anyway, Mimi, My Person and I had a long wonderful walk this morning. I had the stupid nose masher on but it was still a fun morning. I can not get that thing off my nose and believe me, I have tried!!!
My person has figured another out about me. After my initial freak out with other dogs I completely chill out and I can play. The problem is my initial freak out scares peeps and dogs alike. I gotta get past that initial freak out thingy in order to be relieved of the nose masher. I do not ever to get rid of the canned cheese however! That stays!!!
I know that people think they have the perfect dog. Guess what I figured out today? My Person still thinks I am the perfect dog. Even though I freak out and get pushy and others do not understand me. My family still loves me and thinks I am perfect. Lucky dog!
Under paw today seemed a little less slippery. There is a crusty coating over the ice and your paw pads can sort of grab on. Mimi had her waxy stuff on so she was all good too! The sun was bright and I did lots of running in the big fields and it was fun. A chipmunk ran right in front of me and Mimi on one of the paths. We chased the little rodent robber but they are hard to catch!
That little rascal did show me that Spring really is on the way! There is lots of snow around and it is cold but the Spring welcoming birds seem to be back and offering the warmer weather our park to come and stay at. Even with my beautiful coat I welcome Spring too.
Merlin the Perfectly, Imperfect.

A Muzzle Can Be Your Friend?

Last night we found out that Our Families good BFF's dog passed away. Mimi and Jessie said they knew her and she was really cool. Her name is Dharma and I am sure our family is welcoming her to the Rainbow Bridge. I know she is safe because if you spell dog backward, what do you get? It all makes sense doesn't it.

Today was day 2 with this stinking snout grabber! I have to tell you something I learned today. I can run, eat and breath just fine. Plus, I got to stay off the leash around other dogs and I did not act like Merlin the great and powerful. Plus, Our Girl keeps telling me it is stylish and I think that is a super good thing in people speak.

(Merlin looking good)

I ran into a dog named Bear that I met once before. He looks like me but skinnier and he has no white on him. I did not get put on lead and he and I met each other, sniffed and my tail did not get in a knot about anything.

We stayed walking on the upper loops today but we walked around them 3 times so it was a good long walk. We saw Harry, Ricky (yellow labs) with the famous Tad (Minni Yorkie). They always have a bright new tennis ball and at heir people always have a "chucker"(plastic stick that people can use to toss a tennis ball further than their arms allow them to throw alone) Anyway, somebody dropped the ball and I got it. I was so happy to learn I could still pick up the ball with the stupid snout grabber on. My person came up to try and get the ball from me. Mimi started to growl. Do you see the piece of the puzzle that everyone might be over looking? Someone is pushing me on.

(Mimi acting innocent)

Anyway, I dropped the ball and got some cheese. My Person tossed the ball back to Tad's pack and we all went our separate ways. On the way home in the car I barked at other dogs and that still makes My Person crazy. I can tell she is trying to come up with a plan to stop me from doing it. I think it is the last frontier of Merlin's bad behavior. I am going to try and hang onto it. I'll look good doing it too.

Merlin the Stylish

Learning Curve

Well, I have not blogged because I have been grounded. Not that I did not go to the park because I did. I exerted my dominance over little Boomer(Choc Lab) and my person got way, wicked mad and she exerted her dominance over me. I got put right on lead and I may be there forever. I even heard her call the Vet yesterday and got tips from her too!!! I knew this could not be good news for me.

Speaking of bad news Mimi has to have surgery next Friday. It was on and off a hundred times in the last couple of months but now it is on for sure. Her Special Vet said if she is not 100% than they should go in again. Both me and Mimi are in a bunch of dog do.

(Mimi trying to not to step in dodo)

One of the new things my person has decided to do to is to use this thing that goes around my muzzle and it makes it so I can not snap my mouth. I can breath and drink and everything but I do not like it at all. When we first got to the park I kept bumping into my persons leg to try and rub the stupid thing off my face. This did not work well for anybody. My person already uses a stick to help her walk. So she was not happy because I was making her lose her balance which she does on her own all the time.

We saw that wonderful little dog who I always want to call Honey but that is not her name. She is a mixed breed and her person is really nice and I don't think I can remember her name right now. HMMMMMMM. I am having a senior dog moment and I am only 3. Jessie must not remember anything.I was on lead but we had a very friendly hello and I was fine!(Merlin with his new behavior aid)

So, I got to be off lead a lot but I had to keep this stupid thing on my face.

Soon, we saw Sally (Yellow Lab) and Daisy (mix). Daisy and I used to be really good buddies. My person told them about my recent bad behavior and they agreed to letting me off lead. She let me off and I charged both Sally and Daisy. After 1 second I was done with that and we all walked together in a pack and I was fine. We saw Ziggy at a distance and my person put me on lead "just in case"

We left the park in a pack and I liked being with my old friends. Maybe this thing on my nose helps me not be a jerk so much. OK I'll keep trying.

Merlin the Muzzled

My Person's Fault!!!

We missed a perfect opportunity to go to the dog park this morning. My person broke the silly grip things she puts on the booties all the peeps wear on their rear paws. Without them she will fall on her butt. She got new ones today so I am pretty sure tomorrow will be a go.
I wanted to take this down time to thank Woodberry, Jewels and Ginger for their heart felt condolences over Toga's passing. Also, My Families Cousin Person, Jane and their BFF Person Nancy for being so kind to me and my family. We all miss Toga the cute little guy!
My person is already saying "No more critters!" OK My Person, let me count the toes on each paw to see how many times I have heard that before! I ran out so I think I will go count Mimi, Jessie, Junior, Zazu and Janis' toes. Whoops, ran out again and Janis even has extra toes on all 4 paws!!
Merlin the Still Counting!

Balmy

It was so warm today that we could not wait to get to the park. The Doggie Gods were on my side because My Person was all excited and happy about getting there too. We were for sure the first family to be at the park today. That was good for me because I got off the lead and stayed off the entire time we walked around the big loop.

It was Mimi, My Person and me, all alone in the park with peace and a lot of really loud crows. Caw, Caw, caw that is all I heard as I tried to enjoy the serenity of being alone. Those big Crows would not be silent so I could reach my highest level of Merlin hippie~ness. Under paw was a little different today. It got warm yesterday so the snow melted a little. Over night it froze a little today so in some spots it was a little slippery, slide. The big hill is definitely showing signs of being a straight slide down. My Person still went up it so I was cool with that.

Mimi and I saw a squirrel down by the river. We both took off like a shot and I almost got the little runner but it scurried up a tree. Mimi started barking something about me getting in her way or she would have had the squirrel. I say that is a bunch of raw hide!!!!! I was way out in front of her and if I could climb a tree I should have had the rodent in my grasp.

We almost went all the way around without me seeing another dog today. Toward the end I saw Tad (mini-Yorkie), Harry (yellow lab), Denali (not sure of breed) and... I always forget the other guys name but they are all cool. I said hello to all of them and we all got along great. Their person dropped a tennis ball but she grabbed it in her "chucker" right before I got to steal it. Hair Balls! My Person called me away and I did get some squeeze cheese so It was still all good.

Off we went before the rain started so I can go home and hang out with my BCFF (best cat friend forever) Junior.

Merlin the Out about Loving a Cat

Fridays are Fun

So, it was another wonderful but very cold morning today. I saw Spike when I first got there. I was still on lead but he and I said hello without any problem. We went running down toward the river and it was just an all out sprint race between me and Mimi. I am glad she is running and having fun. I still think that she has to have that knee thing looked at but mostly she is doing good.

We saw something that made me worry about my dog friends. There were drops of blood all along the trails. That makes me think someone tore their pad. Mimi has more experience with this problem than me. Sometimes if the snow and ice gets stuck in your toes it causes little snow/ice balls that gets jammed up in your feet and toes and that can cause serious problems with cutting into dog foot pads. You can't really fault the pads because they do get a lot of work and not much credit. The thing is once they get ripped they are hard to heal and that sort of stinks.

My person uses some wax stuff that she smooshes all over Mimi's feet and the ice and snow does not stick. Sometimes I wonder if my person also uses the same stuff in her hair. She puts some stuff in it that seems like the same thing.

Anyway, I saw Harper (yellow lab) on top of the hill. We get along OK and everything was fine. Soon, I saw Rosie(choc lab) up ahead and I got put on lead. I was thinking we would be OK but my person was smart. As we approached Rosie she dropped her tennis ball and i grabbed it. My person knew that was a problem. She got the ball from me and Rosie's person kept her away which was also a good plan. So, my person got the ball from me and tossed it to Rosie. I tried to run to get the ball and a big whoops happened. My person was sort of off balance and I swung around and we were both on the ground. Hooray!!!! We are going to play. But it was not so. My person got up and off we went. We left the park without seeing another dog. It was a great morning and remember to take care of those paws.

Merlin the Health Advisor.

Toga

(Junior and Toga)
We have a very sad day here at our house. Our little rodent family member Togapei died sometime during the night. He was very young but I guess hamsters sometimes do not live very long. All of us, canines, felines and peeps are very, very sad. Sometimes Our Girl would bring Toga downstairs in his very cool rolling ball and I would get to say hello to him. I liked the little guy! He had spunk! Well, the Rainbow Bridge has another member of our clan. Our family takes up a lot of space on that bridge!
Yeah, we went to the park and I ran around with Mimi. It was really cold and I behaved OK most of the time. Anyway, I gotta go continue feeling sad.
We love you Toga, miss you little guy!
Merlin the Bereaved

Narrowing the Field

My person started thinking today that she was narrowing the field for me when it comes to me being a grumpy butt. Straight away we saw Spike(Basset Hound) heading toward us. My person was thinking I would not be grumpy with Spike so she let me stay off lead. Mimi was barking for no reason and that always gets under my fur. We ran up to Spike and guess what? My person was right. I was not grumpy at all. We all gave a butt sniff and and off we went. Hey, is my person getting me?

(Merlin and Spike)

So, off we went on the glorious big loop walk. I was remembering that last winter we had to not do the big loop a lot because it was so icy and slippery. This winter we are doing the big lop almost every day. There is enough snow on top of the ice so my person and Mimi can handle it. I could handle any of it because I am Merlin the... well, just because I am Merlin.

After we passed the beach I ran back to the beach and barked at a person. She scared me. I did not bark at her Greyhound at all just at the person. It earned me some time on the lead. Hair balls! I passed the Spike test but not the people test. We saw pretty Rosie (Choc lab) but I was still on lead from the person barking incident so I did not even get to say hello. On the top of the hill we saw Mel (hound mix). She was already on lead because she does that eating what other dogs have left thing. If you know what I mean. Anyway, my person put me on lead and the peeps were talking. While they chatted I yelled at Mel for really no reason. My person let me know that was not OK.

We enjoyed the rest of the walk just my family and me. My person is pretty sure that when other bouncy dogs approach me I get nervous and behave badly. That is why she let me say hello to Spike. He is a mellow dude. Mel was not being bouncy though so what does that mean?

Plus, on the way out I was on lead and we saw Bella (Golden Ret). She was on lead and so was I. Once again my person stopped to chat with Bella's person. After a minute I charged Bella and she submitted right away. My person gave me a yank and a stern people lecture. Plus, she made me sit and stay while she gave Bella big time snuggles and pets and kisses and everything. OK I get that my behavior does not always get me what I want. Sometimes I forget that but my person keeps reminding me.

Merlin the Techable