Introducing "Joey"

You may recall that it was with some trepidation on my part that Charlie met Roo. Like many dogs, Charlie enjoys taking apart his toys. However, he rarely stops there. Rather, he consumes them. Cloth, stuffing, rope... regardless of how unappealing it seems to a human, it all goes down Charlie's gullet. And then hopefully out the other end (although, as Curt knows too well, that part's not a sure bet).
Puppy Charlie, prior to the first toy "incident"
(which netted him a day at the vet's)
So when Roo arrived, I tried to be very careful. At first Charlie only had well-supervised visits. Then, as he demonstrated his trustworthiness, I relaxed. Thought he'd grown up. Grew complacent. Took for granted that nothing would happen, and allowed Roo to freely roam the house on his own.

Initially it was kind of minor - a detached nose. Well, that could happen to anyone, right? And he didn't swallow the nose. But then... then... one night, watching a video, I noticed Charlie holding Roo down with his paws and pulling at him with his teeth. And when I went over to inspect, Roo was missing his right ear - there was just a stub where it had been. And, worse, the ear was nowhere to be found!


So Roo went back to live on the mantel between play dates. And I began to avoid Roo posts, embarrassed that Charlie wasn't quite as grown-up as I'd portrayed and that I'd let such a lovely present be eaten.

But Brooke and Greg and Charlie and Opy of Dogs with Blogs, who originally sent Roo, found out. And a new package arrived in the mail last week. So, thanks again, Brooke & Greg, and without further ado... everyone meet Joey:

"For me? Really??"
Helping
"Hmmmm... what's in here?"
"C'mon outta there!"
"I'll put you down now & then give you the tour."
"...and this is the living room..."
"...and this is my friend, Roo..."
Charlie and Joey
Happy (supervised) family ;)

 

Roo - The Real Thing

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real. ... Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

Charlie and Roo
- Excerpts from "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams

 

Rock Around the Clock

Charlie must be part cat. Because, like a cat, he's sometimes subject to the "witching hour" -- you know... that time around eleven or twelve at night when it's suddenly time to go nuts and PLAY!






Then, almost as suddenly... playtime's over and it's time to snooze.

W. A. L. K.

What part of this don't you understand, Mom?

Buds

Boys Just Wanna Have Fun

Rainy weather's going to move in tomorrow, so Charlie and I decided to get a little yard play in today.