Today's The DAY!!!!!!

Emil is coming back - Robbie is going home! For the last two month and one day, Robbie has been our ward. He has eaten our food, robbed us of our sleep, slobbered all over us at any occasion he could, dragged us around the neighborhood on walkies, barked at every ghost he saw and I am certain at a few he didnt see. He made sure he was in my way at all times at work, greeted every client and co-worker with his slobbering snout and on occasion even snapped at one or two as if to say: DONT get too comfortable, this is MY office!! And for the last two month and one day, Robbie has cuddled up to us, licked our faces, protected us from would-be anyones, looked at us with those big brown eyes full of love and friendship, played with us and Hershey, and looked cute sleeping on the couch. It was hell for two month. M and I couldnt go anywhere, do anything or get anything done because Robbie was always there. Followed me everywhere i went, even to the pottie. He whined when left alone for 2 seconds, destroyed some cartboard walls i erected at work to imprison him when i had to go anywhere for a few minmutes, and made a menace of him anytime he could. His poo's were HUGE and stunk so bad we had trees go yellow and flowers die. He barked at every worm, snail and of course dog we came across on our walks. He even tried to jump a few joggers, bikers or just people walking by. I gained at least 2 inches on both arms just from holding him back - call me Arnold! M and I havent had a decent nights sleep in two month and one day. We are tired - and I mean T I R E D!! We both sit on the couch every evening at 7pm watching TV and try not to fall asleep. Simple things like cuddling or making love are impossible because Robbie is jealous and wants to join! Whines and scratches the door when he is left outside the bedroom! And as always, Robbie has Hershey in tow. Unless Hershey decided to be the ringleader in the Mischief Gang in which case Robbie is trotting behind him, ready to take the lead! And yet, despite all the hardship over the last 2 month and 1 day we will miss that big goon, this lovable lugg, this pain in the ass more then we will admit. He has been a part of our family before of course, being M's parent's dog, but never like this. We will miss you in our home, Robbie. We'll see you next weekend for playtime with Hershey!!! wuff wuff

The wait is over - Emil returns!!

Finally - the wait is over. The good news is: Emil is coming back June 16 and Robbie gets to go home! the bad news: well there isnt really any!

we love Robbie like we love Hershey. Well, a "little" less since Hershey is our baby! But we had him now for 6 weeks and its become a bit of a nightmare.

Robbie is just sooooooooo needy. Its worse then a baby. At least a baby stops whining when it gets food, changed or just held. Robbie keeps whining even when he snoozes!

Then there is the lack of sleep factor for both of us. I dont get any sleep because the boys both start barking at 4am - need walking at 5am - breaky at 6am - i get to go to work at 7am.
M doesnt sleep because she wakes up when i shout to quiet them down.

However, there is of course the walkies all the time. I havent had a good workout in years. Work doesnt count since its work. But the walks with the boys (30 min morning and night and 3x10 min with Robbie at work) really did me a world of good! I am getting in shape. slowly but surely!!!

Now Emil is coming back. Gone is the dog and gone is the workout. Hershey just doesnt like walking. He does his bizz and then plays mule. You cant move him exept in the direction of home.

3 more weeks. Work will be more lonely without the big lugg following me everywhere, greeting and sniffing every c0-worker that comes in, and running to the dock to try and lick any client that pick up their goods.
Work will be easier too because i dont have to worry about leaving him alone for 5 min to go potty or get food, while he cries and whines being left alone.

Maybe I get to sleep in now. Hershey doesnt care if you take him out at 5am or at 10am. As long as he gets a cuddle and a cookie.

No more slobber. I can now clean the car (the inside is a sl0bber-wet nightmare).

He is lying here on his bed i made him at work. Flat snout, snoring away, happily dreaming of something.

3 more weeks - Hurry Home Emi.l

I will miss the big lugg.

The torture continues

I know I know. It has been a few days since last i posted any cute stories, rants of frustration or just plain and simple a few words regarding our adventure with Robbie.

Well there wasnt much to tell about. He goes to work with me, goes home with me, goes out with me, tries to jump in bed with me (M. has put her foot down on that one - he's banned from the flannels!) and wakes me in the morning to start all over again.

He was supposed to go home next weekend but because of M's moms accident her dad is now staying 2 weeks longer. So we have Robbie two weeks longer.

I seriously have given up on ever sleeping or having a nice relaxing evening ever again! The boys wake us up at 415am or so, barking at the door because the paperboy delivers at that time. So up i am. I mean UP. Not GETTING up. Jump up is more like it. OH well...i can sleep when i am dead (50 years from now i hope).

So anyway, Emil is now not coming back until around June 15. I got an extension to keep Robbie at work with me, which is another story for another time and my other blog (i am totally pissed off about stuff) but at least we dont have to worry about Robbie and finding a home for him.

Other then that the boys are as usual. Full of mischief when they want to be and 5 min later, after thrashing the living room, both hog the couch and sleep like nothing ever happened. Robbie usually snores so loud people think there is an earthquake and Hershey dreams of running the Pacific Spirit Marathon, he shakes that much.

So here i am, writing this and both rascals are at my feet whining and beggin for din-din. Robbie literally whines, Hershey just looks cute. Same message - DIN-DIN time daddy-o.

Oh well, what can i do? They are like children. And when chilren are hungry they must be fed.

Bon Appetite

only 17 days to go - maybe!

We are past the halfway point for Emil's return. Well, maybe. M's mom had a serious accident in the Czech Republic and is in the hospital. She should be released on Friday but it will take a while to recover. So Emil is thinking about staying a couple of weeks longer.

At this point it isnt so bad anymore with Robbie. So if Emil wants to stay he can. As long as he gets back before we see Pavarotti mid-June!

Robbie in the meantime has finally aclimated himself to living in our place and going to work with me every day. He has become a veteran at work actually! He doesnt even get up anymore when i have to do something. Only if i dont come back within a few minutes will he slowly, yawning and stretching get up and look for me.
Whenever someone enters the warehouse he runs to them, tail stump wiggling and starts sniffing. Always the sucker for a cuddle or attention of ANY kind, he find lots of willing suckers who do what he wants.

When we go for walkies he acts just like a 3 month old pup. Jumps around on his leash, tries to eat it, pulls me left and right and behaves in any way but like a good boy. Happy Robbie is all i can say!

When its time to go home at 5pm he is more happy to get out of here then i am! Jump around like a little pup again. Then in the car he goes straight to sleep.
Even stopping at M's favorite cafe on Commercial Dr. doesnt make him stir.
But boy oh boy...as soon as we park the car at home he is right awake, ready to pounce!

In the elevator i get him all riled up with "going to see Hershey-ku, Hershey, going to play, are we?" It drives him to the brink of insanity. He storms out of the elevator and if he could, he would ram right through our door. When I open the door he runs head-on into Hershey, who's already waiting too, and the ruckus begins anew!

Oh Emil, please come back soon!!!!

Happy Wednesday

Day 14 - Robbie has been muzzled

Over the last few days Robbie has exhibited behavior that we dont condone. Aggressiveness!

He has started barking a lot - especially at other dogs and/or people. He also tends to snap at people trying to bite them. I think it is a combination of missing his parents and defending his babysitters and Hershey! Either way - it is unacceptable.

So we went to Bosleys today and bought him a muzzle. M. actually went there a couple of days ago but the one she bought didnt fit Robbie's big schnoozle. So we had to exchange it. So he is now wearing one that is designed for St. Bernards and dogs that size.

Of course he is now trying to pry the damn contraption off his snout but for some reason it doesnt comply. It fits just nicely and wont be moved! But the comedy we get out of watching Robbie.....well...its a Master Card moment! Or a Kodak Moment! Or just really great comedy!

He walks non-chalante and all of the sudden his snout will go dig up ground while his paws try to pry off the muzzle. It is a VERY funny sight.

And of course - he cant snap at people or dogs anymore. He can still box them with his paws but I keep him on a short leash when we are near anyone. Its not easy. He sure pulls hard and goes up on his hinds trying to get lose. But despite my "advanced" age I am still stronger then he is - barely though, I think I need to work out a bit!

We will see how he behaves over the next feew days. If all goes well maybe we leave his schnoozle un-muzzled. If he DOESNT get the hint - oh well - no problem for us :-)

wuff wuff

11 days have gone by - and I am getting in shape!

It does appear that the days are going faster now. Its natural. I am sure about 10 days before Robbie is to go back to his home the days will stand still. 24 hours will seem 48. 48 hours will seem an eternity.

And yet, with 31 days still to go, I already miss the bugger a little bit. Not because of all the ruckus he is causing, that is just him and Hershey together being animals.
But he is making me "work out"!!!!!

First of all, I am walking. Not a lot. Just around the block. Maybe a total of 20 min. But thats at least 40 min a day more then I usually walk. Hershey just wants to do his business and then get back to his couch! Not Robbie. He wants to go out. Explore. Chase joggers and bark at other dogs!

And BOY that bulldozer is pulling on the leash when we go. So not only do my legs and lungs get a workout, but also my arms. When Robbie decides to go a certain line he doesnt deviate much. He will square his shoulders and walk! Straight ahead. A sniff here and a mark there but basically full steam ahead!
And NOTHING can stop him - much! I mean, I put 200lbs (all muscle of course) on a scale and I have to stem against the tide. Have to haul him back - be stern with him. Yeah, right! A lotta good THAT does!!! He stops for a second and then back to steamrolling anything in his way!

But as I said. I am getting a workout.

And then of course I have Robbie at work with me. Another few workouts! Short ones, since I dont have time to go for a 1h walk with him but still - a few stairs need climbing, a very small embankment needs hiking and all the time Robbie needs pulling!

Why did I sign up at the gym? I truly dont know - all I need is Robbie to get in shape!

Tada :-)

Week 1 is history

We survived the first week! Barely! Only 5 more weeks to go until Emil returns to claim Robbie! I am not sure if we actually want to give him back.

I think we would miss all the slobber, the relentless crying when he's hungry or when I have to do some work and he can't accompany me. Or the battles between Robbie and Hershey that makes us think we need to renovate the living room. I am sure we would longe for the 95lbs bulldozer coming at us when we wants the couch. Or the relentless pulling on the leash and the VERY large and VERY VERY stinky poo's Robbie loves to present us with - not to mention the fact that one of his farts can be considered a WMD (weapon of mass destruction). Lets not mention the fact that he snores so loud the City of Winnipeg had an earthquake!

But then there is the the puppy- like adoration, the undoubted affection and the unconditional love this monster of a dog shows us. How can we in good consciousness NOT love this dog back!!!

So we survived the first week. He came to work with me and made a nuisance of himself more often then not. I have to find a babysitter just to go to the washroom or else he dismantles my office and cries the police out of the bagelshop! He came back home with me - even though I tried to sell him numerous times to numerous people - and made a nuisance of himself there too with the all to willing help of Hershey. He hogged the couch and jumped in bed with us - dragging Hershey behind him!

Yet, I don't think neither M. nor me, despite all the bitching and whining we do about him being with us, would miss having him with us for anything.

Robbie is family and if you do nothing in life - you must always protect and love your family - like this dog loves and protects us!

Here's to the next 5 weeks!
Cheers!