Retiring from the Library Circuit

I think my days as a celebrity may be over. I did what could have been my last library event yesterday. My mom and I have been thinking about retiring from our therapy group when our certification expires in March because we just don't enjoy it like we used to. I'm getting a little older, I have arthritis, and I'm much less patient with children that are too pushy or won't listen when Mom tells them not to poke me in the eye.

I used to really enjoy therapy work, but at a library event in Manhattan Beach recently, something happened to me that has never happened. I was scared by a child. I didn't like her. She liked me, but all I wanted to do was hide behind Mom. Mom has always said that once I don't like doing this anymore that she would stop doing it since making her dogs happy is more important than her training. So we've been wrestling with what to do in March for several months now.

And yesterday seemed like a good way to go out on top (ala Michael Jordan ... the first time). I am a celebrity at the Lawndale Library. I'm always the first dog to have full signups and kids yell out as I'm coming "It's Chubbs! It's Chubbs!" The whole time, kids want to come sit by me, pet me, show me their books and shake my hand. The librarian always thanks us for coming and gives us treats. She's says I'm everyone's favorite.

I was a hit again this time, and I behaved really well. I even looked at the books sometimes, which I don't always do. I didn't whine when the other dogs came in, and there were some really nice kids this time who kept petting me politely and telling me that I was cute. Which I am. Have I mentioned that yet today?

We may get recertified just so I can go back there. However, it's pretty expensive... Maybe they would let me come visit sometimes anyway. Oh well, we have another three months to decide. In the meantime, I have lots of other work to do, helping my mom teach puppies how to be polite. It's a tough life.

Love, Chubbs

Stuck with a Needle

Well, I'm well into my human-allergy treatment, and I have to tell you fellow dogs and dog lovers, it's no fun. I have to get vaccinated every week right now, but up until this week, it was every two days. I have to tell you, I didn't like it one bit.

On the third day, I decided to outsmart my parents by running into a crate where they couldn't get me. So they pretended to do other things and left a bunch of treats on the ground. When I came out, bam! They caught me. I tried to bite my daddy out of frustration, but that didn't really solve anything either.

Luckily, my mommy doesn't believe that I'm biting her to be dominant. She knows that I'm doing it out of fear and that forceful methods will make me more scared. So she has tried to make vaccinations more fun for me. Even though I'm not really supposed to eat within an hour of vaccination, she gives me a giant treat, and while I eat it, I get vaccinated. Believe me, I still notice. And I even pause when the needle goes in, but I love treats, and the vaccination is pretty quick if I don't try to bite.

So I guess, if I have to be vaccinated, at least I get a big yummy treat. Thanks, Mom!

Love, Fenway