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Three years old
I'm writing this in November 2003 and I'm now 3 years old, celebrated my birthday in August this year. In the beginning of December it's three years since I moved from Kennel Lagromi where I was born, to my mum where I live now. In the middle of December it's two years since I got my own website, and I've had more visitors than both mum and I expected.
During these years I've learned plenty of things, and actually I think I know it all. At least I know pretty much when I want to. One example is that now I know how keep my balance when I lift one leg up and want to check out the surroundings at the same time. When I was a small pup I couldn't even lift one leg up to start with, and when I started practicing it when I was about 6 months old I very often fell over to mum's big amusement.
I'm just about used to children now, some of them I like more than others. Little Martin is one example, he's actually pretty nice. At least when he shares biscuits with me. I still don't like children who come running towards me. Even if they aren't coming straight towards me I make sure mum is between me and the children. I still like to watch humans and what they are doing, but I don't like all people I meet. If there is someone I don't like, I just don't walk up to them no matter how much they call me or try to bribe me.
Birds are something I find amusing sometimes and sometimes not. The fun birds are the ones I see on walks around the river and in the park who I can scare by barking at them. I do not like hundreds of birds sitting in trees screaming and making loads of noise. They've left their mark on me too many times for me to like them.
Just lying around, taking it easy is something I still enjoy. Usually when mum is at the computer I'm lying under the wooden cabinet next to her, and during the night time, I move around so sometimes I'm in the bed and sometimes I'm under the bed. Mum's bed is actually a great place all in all! I love playing there, and also I help mum arrange the bed several times per day. I find it very important to make sure the duveés and pillows and sheets are nicely laid out. The bed is also a good place to dry yourself on when you've been exposed to a bath. Talking about baths, I still don't see the point of that. You only get wet and miserable!
It is not so often now that I lie down and refuse to walk one step further. Instead if I want to get out of a walk, I try to keep myself a few steps behind mum, like if it's dark or if it's raining. Sometimes I just stop and stand very still, staring at mum telling her it's time to go back home. Sometimes I walk in just in front of her feet so that she'll stumble. This trick has its sides since it has happened that she's stepped on me. She says it's my fault, but I think she should watch out where she put her big feet!
Almost the only times I lie down on walks now is when I see other dogs. I still think it's weird that I'm not allowed to say hello to all the dogs I see - I'm still convinced they all would be so pleased to meet me! But I have to say there are a few of them out there with big heads who think they own the streets, but I make sure to tell them off. If they growl and bark at me, I do the same back. Sometimes I'm the first one growling and barking, but that's only when I notice from far away that it's some really big headed type.
Being alone at home is still one of the most horrible things to me. It was OK for a while, but then I got tired of it so mum is now saying we have to start practising again. Totally unecessary if you ask me, because I think mum should bring me everywhere, and if I can't come, she shouldn't bother going at all. I don't mind though to sit and wait in the car, because then I can sit and watch the things going on outside, or sometimes I curl up on the drivers seat and get some rest and refuse to move when mum comes back. Naturally mum never leaves me in the car during the summer when it's very warm, or during the winter when it's very cold
Soft fluffy balls are still my favourite toys, but I've stopped tearing them apart to see how much white fluff there is inside. You see that usually ended with the balls mysteriously disappearing!! I have no idea of how many of them just vanished never to come back again. Now I'm quite satisfied just playing football with them, squeaking them until mum's ears nearly falls off or pushing them around with my nose. It's a bit annoying when the balls roll in under the bookshelf, because then I can't reach them and I have to ask mum to help me get them out again.
I still really enjoy investigating and inspecting things, and it doesn't matter if it's old familiar things or totally new things. I'm also proud to say I've never during my three years destroyed anything belonging to mum or any other human! I understood at an early age that humans don't appreciate that. Another thing that I know isn't really appreciated by mum is when I grab those strange things she has in her hair and pull them out. I still find it very amusing, but I don't do it as often as I used to, just now and again.
One thing humans do appreciate though is to cuddle, and I'm very good at that! It's a talent that has gotten better as I've grown older, and when mum is watching TV I usually make sure she lies down on the sofa so I can make myself comfortable on her chest and stommach. First I lie for a while on the side with my head on her shoulder, and then I sort of make a half turn so I'm partly on my back, the head is turned a bit and my legs are all over the place. The longest I stayed in that position is nearly two hours. Fortunately for mum she had the remote to the TV very close so at least she could switch the channels. She did complain after though that her neck felt strained, but I have no idea what that has to do with my sleeping so comfortably. The truth is I was very tired, and I was so comfortable, and I think me being comfortable should be in her interest. I also enjoy kissing mum all over the face, but it's not always mum seems to enjoy it as much as I do.
I still don't like firecrackers or fireworks, but fortunately it isn't so often you hear those things. If I'm inside when I hear it, I usually bark loudly to make the people making all that noise stop with it. One thing that I already mentioned that I enjoy is going in the car! I sit in my special place in the back seat behind the passenger seat looking out the window. Some of the fun of that though is gone, since mum decided on getting me a stupid seatbelt. If you ask me, that's a very silly invention!
I didn't have to go to school any more, and I think that's good. I thought it was rather stupid going around in a circle, doing exactly as everyone else, and it contained too much waiting for my liking. I'm also wondering how anyone can find it fun to lie down on a wet and muddy field?! I actually think I know everything necessary to know. I can walk very nicely and properly when I'm on the lead if I want to, but the walks are more fun when you move from side to side without mum knowing when, or just suddenly stop or just dive in to a bush or something.
I still eat my food when it suits me. It's not always I find it necessary to do when mum puts my dish on the floor, and sometimes I don't even find it necessary to eat all day. It's all depending on what mood I'm in, but it's my choice. Unfortunately it doesn't mean that I get more other good stuff from mum. I get no extra biscuits or paté or sausages no matter how little or much food I eat. According to mum I'm supposed to eat my dog food, and if I don't it's up to me if I want to go hungry. On rare occations I do get some human food, and actually I pretty much enjoy cooked vegetables like broccolo, peas and carrots.
Finally I have to add that I still get way to few biscuits!
Text and photos Copyright Yvonne Eriksson 2001 - 2004
