Dogs and Baby Birds

Dear Gavin,

The weather here has been very strange. I do not like thunder. It scares me. A lot. I just want to hide when I hear it. Sometimes there is a flash of light with the thunder. They call this lightning. I am not fond of this, either. As you know, Gramma has my kennel under table beside the couch. It is dark and cozy in there. I have your old shoes in there and Gramma has not attempted to wash them, so I find it very comforting to sniff your smells. I have been sleeping in my kennel at night, because these storms have been happening at night.

One of the storms happened last weekend. The whole weekend was strange, if you ask me. It started with Miss Barb finding some baby birds in the dumpster! She is feeding them while some children are watching. Did you know that birds eat worms? I wonder how they taste .......... Gramma was pretty mad that someone would put these little baby birds in a dumpster. She said it was just plain cruel and inhumane. Does that mean that whoever did it was not a human?

While the birds were eating worms and the children watched, I looked out the window and I saw this dog. Gramma said he was very handsome. He was waiting for his boy and his girl. He didn't even bark! I confess that I barked at him. Oscar joined me at the window and we barked at this dog that Gramma called handsome. Emmy just watched us. She said that it was rude to carry on the way we did. She is such a goody-goody. I was missing my boy and I was jealous of this dog that was handsome and had a boy and a girl.

So, the dog that Gamma said was so handsome went to his campsite with his boy and his girl. Gramma and Miss Barb finished squishing worms into the tiny little birds and finally it was time for Gramma to lock the door to the store. Us dogs like it when we hear the door lock in the store. It means that Gramma and Papa will come in the house and sit down with us. Gramma will hold us and kiss us. She also inspects us for ticks ever since she found that one on my neck.

We all went to bed, but I could not seem to sleep. I kept getting in and out of the bed. Gramma scolded me and told me to make up my mind about my sleeping arrangements, so I retired to my kennel. Everyone was sleeping, except me. There was none of that loud thunder or lightning, but I could hear the wind. It sounded really scary. I could hear stuff blowing around outside. I was scared, so I stayed in my kennel and that is where Gramma found me when she finally got up. She usually gets up really early on Saturdays, but she overslept. She went outside to clean the bathrooms for the campers and she told Papa that the wind had blown the box with the baby birds to the ground. They were still alive and she fed them again. She said that they had pooped. That was a good sign. It meant that everything inside them was working and the worms they ate had been good for them.

Miss Nan and Cooper came to the store to see Gramma. Cooper's eyes got really big when Papa told every body that Mr. Marshell's canoe had flown into Miss Yvonne's fifth wheel! He was shocked to hear that canoes can fly! He is still very young, you know. Now I know what I heard outside while I was hiding in my kennel!

Gramma always holds Cooper and he licks her. Gramma loves little dogs. Gramma loves us dogs here the best, though. She told me so. Us dogs love Gramma and Papa, too. But, of all the people I love ........ I love my boy the most! Don't forget, okay?

Your sleepless dog, Wall-E

Goodbyes Are Sad

Dear Gavin,



I was so sad when you left. I wanted to go with you, but I wanted to stay with Papa, too. Gramma scolded Papa. She told Papa that he should let me go with my boy. Papa loves me. A lot. He told Gramma that he couldn't let me go because he loves me. Gramma said that she loves me, too ............. but she loves you more. I love you, too. I love Papa, too. Papa told Gramma to let Oscar go home with you. Why would Oscar go home with you? You are not his boy!

So, there I was in your arms. As much as I don't like car rides, I was willing to take one just to be with you.


Everyone was talking at once. Gramma was taking pictures and crying .......... she always cries when you leave. I was thinking that I would need all my stuff. I have stuff, you know. Actually I have a lot of stuff. Gramma has some sweaters for me ........... she can keep those. But I have toys and pillows and stuff. My kennel and my blankets, oh, and my treats. I have a supply of delicious treats. I get one every morning from Papa. Gramma says that Papa should make us dogs earn those treats, but Papa just gives them to us. Gramma makes me sit pretty.


I jumped down to tell your mom about the treats and that is when Uncle Jeffy said that there was not enough room for me in his van. He said that it was not his van and that Aunt Diane would not want a dog in it. I think he made that up because he felt bad for Papa.



You were so disappointed! Gramma said that her heart was breaking to see you so sad. She was crying and you were crying and I did not know what to do.


Gramma put me in your arms so that I could comfort you. I felt your tears on my neck and I knew what Gramma meant about feeling like her heart was breaking. I was so sad to hear you cry.

Gramma told me that she would take me with her when she went to see you. She told Papa that he would have to buy a puppy for you. I will need to go and see this puppy when you get him. I will need to teach him so many things. Just don't get a big puppy like Zeke. Big puppies are hard to handle ......... just ask Gramma. She will tell you. I am glad to know that you made it home. I heard Gramma talk to you last night.

I will be dreaming of you, my boy. Don't ever forget that I love you!

Your faithful dog, Wall-E

I Am Waiting ........

Dear Gavin,

Today is the day!! You are coming today! I have been waiting all week. I almost wish Gramma had not told me that you were coming. Waiting is hard. I keep looking out the window, hoping to see you getting out of Uncle Jeff's van. Lots of kids come here every day to swim, so I keep thinking that you are here. But, not yet.

Gramma has been busy all week. She has the extra bedroom all ready for you and the girls. She said that your mom and Uncle Jeff can decide who gets the big bed and who gets the cot. All I know is ........ I am sleeping with you! If you will just hurry and get here!

Gramma has clean sheets on all the beds and she sent Papa to the store for food. She is making a birthday cake for you and your mom. I did not forget that yesterday was your birthday!!!!! You are seven years old now. Gramma says that you are very independent for your age. I did not know what that meant, but Emmy says it means that you do things for yourself.

Gramma was talking on the phone and petting me today. She was talking about you coming here to see me. Anyhow, she was rubbing my neck and it felt really good, cause the spot she was rubbing was itchy and sore. She stopped talking about you and shouted "a tick ......... Wall-E has a tick on his neck!" I froze to that that spot while Gramma removed that blood thirsty tick from my neck! Now I know why I was itching. Gramma killed that hateful pest and then she gave my neck a thorough search. She checked me all over and then she checked Oscar and Emmy, too. Gramma does not like ticks. She said that it was time for our special flea and tick remedy anyway. Then she said that bad word that I do not like ............. she said that we would have to have a bath!!

She made me go first. I tried to hide in my kennel with your shoes, but when Gramma is determined, there is really no way to stop her. At least she didn't go pawing through my treasures this time. I have some things hidden in my kennel that I do not want her to throw away. Like your old shoes. I have been hiding things under the pillow. I know, it is only a matter of time until she finds them.

Speaking of time ........... isn't it time for you to be here?

Your waiting dog, Wall-E

Celebrate!

Dear Gavin,

Gramma was so excited last night when your mom called and told her the news. Us dogs could tell that whatever she was saying to Gramma made her very happy. We waited patiently for her to get off the phone and then she told us ................ you and your mom are coming here in just nine days! I could hardly believe my ears and now my tail won't stop wagging. I am so excited to see you!


Gramma will make a snow cone for you, any flavor you want. These things are good. I know because if you squish them in your hand they will spill and I have licked up some spills. Papa tends to pour too much of the yummy syrup and cause them to overflow when he makes them. I think I like banana the best. Emmy prefers watermelon and Oscar says he would rather have something solid to snack on .........

............ like when someone drops a cookie!

I like popcorn, too. Gramma says that Maya, Jada and Zara will be coming, too. Emmy says she will be hanging out under the dining table. She says there will be plenty of spills and food dropped ............ She is beside herself with joy. Gramma says that means she is happy, but I don't know exactly how one gets to be beside them self. Emmy says to just let it go, it is one of those sayings that make no sense. People are funny, you know.

I heard Gramma asking your mom what kind of cake she wants. Today is your mom's birthday and you have a birthday in just eight days! We will celebrate while you are here! Just getting to play with you is reason enough for me to celebrate .............. but, cake, too. I think I might even be beside myself with joy!

I will be resting up until you get here.

Let them eat cake! Your celebrating dog, Wall-E