Dog Dreams

This morning, I came down stairs to find Otty on his back, just waking from his Road Kill dream again. He says he has the dream a lot this time of year, when Spring is approaching and a young dog's thoughts turn to walks. Along streets. Streets with cars on them. Scarrrrrry.

Holiday Nuts

Tis the season alright. Otty saw an infomercial for Neuticals and now he's all about getting a pair for Christmas. I really can't afford them being out of work and all, but from the looks of them (sm, med, lg) maybe I can rig something with jellybeans and rubber bands. I know Otty deserves better and I am filled with financial Holiday shame that I cannot provide. Sigh.
















Indy is still working on her wish list. But I know it starts off with 1. Less of a spaz for a roommate. (Poor Otty.)

Shhh. Someone Thinks He's a Cat.

Nothing like working at home on a sunny almost Fall day. Hey, check out my exciting new paper weight. Shaped a bit like a Border Terrier. Hard to say at this point if this kind of intrusion is a perk or not of working from home. But with those little hands on my leg, and the love crumb eyes looking up at me ... ugh, hard to resist. Then he just jumps up and helps himself to the center of attention.

Acute Butt Sinkage

"Ugh!" says Otty. The trouble with little dogs and big fluffy chair pillows is that you can suffer from acute butt sinkage if you get into the wrong angle. Look closely at his feets. He's going down the chair drain.

Otty's Routine

1. Chase and catch tail














2. Break dance












3. Sit up and wait for the dizziness to pass.

Otty's First Playdate

Otty has had a crush on Bailey for a long time. And whenever we encounter her while out for a walk, it turns into a major doggie playfest. Rompfest? We had Bailey (and one of her humans) over yesterday. Bailey and Otty played hard, wrestled, chased balls, drank from water-filled sandpails, then crapped out in the cool ivy out of the sun's reach. Tiny Gramps was so happy to have his friend over.

Otty's New Nickname

Because of his eyebrows, we've called him Milosz. Because of his beard, he reminds me of Wilford Brimley. However, my new favorite nickname is not Wilford or Milosz. It's .... (ta da!)

TINY GRAMPS.

The After Bath Aftermath

Otty pup had a big day at Bow Wow Beach today - his favorite tourist trap. In the miserable heat he still had the energy to run around for 40 minutes with: Jack, Simon, Reeses, Snickers, Zoey et al.

And as always, after funning around in the dog park's shit water pond, he gets a serious bath.














Rolls around like a super freak after his bath.















And then falls asleep standing up. Sleeeeepy Pup.

Chip Implant for Otty

It was a big day for Otty! We took him to the vet to get one of those info chip implants for him ... it's coded with his name rank and serial number should he ever get lost and is easily read by any vet using a handheld scanner ... because I am jobless, I couldn't afford the deluxe version but the vet assured us this style is equally effective.

Otty's 1st Birthday

Last Friday, Otty and a few friends celebrated his 1st birthday.
It was a quiet ceremony and lasted about three minutes. He was served a peanut butter cupcake (pupcake) with doggie treats baked inside. Afterward, there was a special birthday bath that made him puffy.

Whit Teaches Otty the Fine Art

of sulky puppy face ... you'd think it'd be the other way around, but no.

What Work Is by Otty

Otty takes his title from the kick ass Phillip Levine poem ...

work is chasing
your tail around



and around




until you are all pooped out.

Easter Sunday

Easter Bunny left more than little turds outside, he left an Easter Pig Ear for Otty. Oh, the rapture of lugging around a too-big chew. Must. Get. Out. Must. Bury. Pig Ear.

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

.. always get him down, especially rainy Tuesdays -- like it is right here in Akron.

Coldish, wet, heavy rain at the moment. I came home to eat - mashed kidney beans and steamed chard with vinegar - and now I am waiting for the rain to let up so I can go back to work. I want to throw myself onto the couch like Otty and forget it all.

Kins You Dig It? Riffing on Pup Part 3.1

It’s a fact.

If you add “kins” to most any word it makes it sound cuter than it is – potato-kins for example.


Add ‘kins’ to something already cute, like say our puppy –and you’re talking serious cuteness. Ottykins. Or puppykins.

Who’s a little puppykins?

The baby talk and cooing are non-stop around our house lately, but it’s all worth it. Otty is such a great little addition to the family.

Daddy-kins, mommy-kins. Cheese-kins …

They Grow Up So Fast ...

I’m all weepy this morning. Seems like only yesterday Otty had that new baby smell. Now, he’s begging at the table, marking (whether he has a full tank or not) and most amazing … he loves books. Especially the paper parts. I am not sure what the replacement costs will be to the Public Library but it’s coming out of his dog treat allowance.

Holy Terror - Night Crazies

Tug-o-pup is becoming a very popular game here. It is part of his night crazies. He also has morning crazies. Big bursts of puppy energy and dashing and darting and jumping and yipping. Alas, the pictures just can't capture all the tear assing around the room that goes on in between these shots. I try and try to get him on the move but I might as well be blind. If only my reflexes were better ... A beautiful moment tonight while out walking Otty. A woman came up to us in the park with a frizzed out Jack Russell girl (3 yrs.) and there was a little tension between the two dogs so the woman picked up her dog and offered its butt to Otty for sniffing. I am not sure I will ever be a dog person.