Mixed Feelings

Dear Gavin,

I was sitting with Gramma today when the phone rang. I will confess that I was listening to everything she said. Emmy tells me that this is a very rude habit and is commonly referred to as eavesdropping. All I know is that if she didn't want me to listen, then she should have gone to another room. Hey, I was right beside her!


I could hear your mom on the phone. She talks loud, you know. I couldn't hear what she said, but I knew it was her. Gramma got a sort of sad look on her face and she put her hand on me and patted me while she was listening. Then she said, "Well, I don't know. What if he is unhappy there?". Then she looked at Papa and told him that my boy wants his dog back. They were talking about me!! I was really excited to hear this and my tail started wagging. I thought this was a great idea.


Papa said, "No way!" I got worried. Why didn't Papa want me to go live with my boy? Then Gramma told your mom that Papa would be so sad without me. She said that I wait up for Papa every night and sleep right next to him. I do. I love Papa. Now I am confused and sad. If I go live at your house I will miss Papa! I will miss Gramma! I will miss Oscar and Emmy! I will get to be with you, though. Oscar says that this is a true dilemma.


Gramma talked to your mom and told her that I would go back to live with you, but that I would need a companion. I hope this is not a shot or some kind of medicine. Emmy explained that Gramma was talking about another dog or cat to keep me company and play with me. Your mom told Gramma that if she got another dog that she might as well leave me here and just get you another dog. I don't know how I feel about that. Does this mean you won't be my boy anymore?


I remember that I told you I would be upset if you got another dog. I think I have had time to reconsider this notion. I will always be your very first dog. Gramma tells me that a boy's first pet always holds a special place in his heart. She also told me that when you get a new dog I will have a new friend! I will get to teach your new dog all the things he or she should know when you come to see me.



I will still write letters to you and wait patiently for you to come see me. I admit that I am a little sad that I am not moving back to Minnesota to be with you....... well I was until I remembered that you live upstairs in an apartment and that I would have to have a leash on every time I needed to go out. I really like being able to just run to the back door and go out in my own yard. Makes life simple, you know. Oscar tells me that I will have mixed feelings until I see you and know that you are happy with a new dog. He told me that although he wasn't exactly thrilled when he learned that I would be living here, he has grown used to me and would be sad to see me go. Really, I think he would miss me a lot!



I must go now. I hear Papa's key in the door and I must run to greet him. Papa says that I am the best present anyone ever gave him! Now he is talking in riddles like Gramma! I will be waiting to hear about your new dog, my boy.


Your #1 dog, Wall-E

Mondays Are Not Fun

Dear Gavin,

I don't like Mondays, do you? Gramma says we need to write to you today. I know I do.......... I am thinking............ and thinking........

I got nuthin'! I am thinking I need to nap........ but, I just got up. Gramma says to get my act together and get my letter done. She says she has a date with a paint brush. Now, I am just confused. I wish she would just say what she means. I think she is going to go outside and paint on that fence around the pool again.

"Hey, Oscar, what can I write about?"

Say that again and don't mumble this time!! I can't hear you! Oh, you want me to leave you alone. Gee, you don't have to be so mean, I asked nicely. Go back to sleep.

Emmy says to tell you about the weekend and all the dogs we saw. Oh, yeah, I had forgotten. Us dogs saw a lot of new dogs out the window. We even saw Gramma pet some of them. Oscar gets quite indignant when he sees this happen. Emmy and I just wait until she comes in to smell all the new smells.

We saw Gramma petting two black dogs while she talked to their person. I couldn't hear everything she said, but I did hear her tell the boy dog that he was very handsome! She never says that to me. She tells me I am her homely fella and that I am a love. That is better, right? Anyway, she did not have her camera. These dogs are called Schnauzers. They had all black hair and really big eyebrows hanging down. I think I prefer not having hair in my eyes! I like to be able to see all around me. Gramma says that I am curious and want to know everything.

We also saw a miniature Greyhound! I have some Greyhound friends in blogland! That dog was little, though and my friends are tall and majestic. I was very confused until Gramma explained that miniature meant small. Oh, I get it! That dog I saw was like a little version of my friend, Bunny! I may be homely, but I am smart....... Gramma said so. That little dog I saw was walking with her person and she jumped up into her person's arms. I could do that, I think. Gramma must have read my mind, though, because she looked me in the eye and said, "Don't even think about it, mister!". She says that she has enough aches and pains without me adding to it. I don't know why she doesn't want to learn tricks with me. I will wait until you come and you and I will do some tricks.

Aunt Debbie came, but she didn't bring Kiley. I was kind of sad about that. Maybe next weekend. Gramma says that there is still a lot of work to do. She only called me into the store one time to meet some people. I like to do that. All the people say how cute I am and they pet me. One lady said I was adorable. I licked her hand. As much fun as that was, I would still rather see you, my boy.

I will nap now, while Gramma goes out to paint her fence. I will be seeing you in my dreams. Don't forget that you are my boy and I love you.

Your sleepy dog, Wall-E

I Wanted To Go!!

Dear Gavin,
I am very upset with Gramma and Papa! I heard Gramma telling someone on the phone that she was going to the airport to see you. Does she think I can't hear her?


All day yesterday she was busy in the kitchen. She kept telling us dogs to move while she was making all kinds of yummy stuff. She let me have a lick of something sweet that she called cupcakes. She said that if you were here in her house she would have let you lick the beaters, so she let me have a lick for you. Because you are my boy. I was not too happy about the noise that mixer makes, but Oscar says that noise means that Gramma is baking a treat. Emmy says that if you stay close and watch carefully that something might drop to the floor and if you are quick you can scoop it up with your tongue. Oscar prefers to wait for Gramma to give something to Papa to try .......... he always makes good crumbs. Oh, I get it!! This is why Gramma calls us dogs her little vacuum cleaners ........... we clean up the mess that Papa makes. Maybe she should call Papa "Job Security" for us dogs!


After Gramma finished all the cooking she put all the food and some paper plates and forks and all kinds of stuff in a big bag ............. and they left!! She was in such a hurry that she forgot to tell us which one of us was in charge. I guess you know that Oscar decided it should be him, cause he is the oldest. I was so sad that I didn't care. We took a vote and it was unanimous ............. we took a long nap. It seemed like we slept forever before we heard Gramma's car coming in the drive.


We all started howling to let her know that we were happy that she came home. She came in and gave each of us a treat, then she loaded all the pictures from her camera and let me see you. I was happy to see you, but I wanted to sit in your lap and lick your face. I was happy and sad all at the same time! Gramma says that is called "bittersweet". Words are funny, don't you think?


It is warmer outside, but it keeps raining. Papa and Gramma are both outside a lot getting the park ready for all the campers. Oscar says to keep an eye on the pool. He says that when the pool is full of water it will mean that summer has started and then you will come. He says that all of the grandchildren will come. Emmy says she loves it when all of you guys come so that she can hang out under the table while you eat! She says that the girls are the best for crumbs! She said that if you hang out close to the youngest you can get a lot of dropped food. I think I will give that a try!


I must go now, Gramma says there is still a lot to do and that "times-a-wastin". I will ponder that while I nap. Writing is hard work, you know! Don't forget that I love you so much, my boy, and can't wait to lick your face!


Your dog, Wall-E