Dear Gavin,
I have so much to tell you! Gramma has been so busy that she has been neglecting my writing. I will forgive her, because I have been watching her work and let me tell you, she works hard! We have just finished our first big holiday of the season. Us dogs are already in the groove. We don't even bother to bark at all the people ..... or the dogs. Gramma says that I am a fast learner.

Look at this dog! I think he may be the driver of the big motor home. Gramma called him a poodle. He is white like me, but his hair is very curly. Emmy wondered if he had had a perm. What is a perm?

Us dogs like to sit on the back of the chair and watch the people walk their dogs. Oscar says it is like a live movie. This black dog is a pug. He has short black hair just like Oscar's. Oscar says he is not nearly as handsome as he is, though.

I saw these two dogs and Gramma said they were boxers! "Come closer!" I yelped, but they kept walking. I really wanted to see them. When Oscar and I went out in our yard we found a loose board on the fence. Papa had the big fire hose running out to the pool to put water in it. Oscar said it would be okay, so we went out into the park. We met up with another dog named Oscar. He did not look at all like Oscar! He belongs to one of the seasonal campers. We recognized his bark. We were about to explore some more, but Papa found us and brought us back to Gramma. She was way too busy to punish us and she didn't even get mad! She did scold Papa for not securing our fence, though. She said we could have been hurt. Gramma loves us dogs.

Gramma said that yesterday was your Mom's birthday. I heard her tell someone that your mom was her baby. What? Gramma is a Mom? I thought she was a Gramma. Just a Gramma. This is very confusing to me. Gramma tried to explain it all to me, but I just don't get it. How can your Mom be Gramma's baby? She is bigger than Gramma. I have seen her stand next to Gramma and I tell you, she is bigger. Emmy tried to tell me that all of her puppies grew to be bigger than her, too! This is amazing to me. I will have to think about this and we will talk when you come to see me. Are you going to be bigger than your Mom?

My head hurts from thinking! Gramma tells me that you are playing baseball. I bet I could help you play! I am there for you ....... I have never played baseball, but I know how to catch a ball. I will dream of you and me running with a ball in the grass while I sleep tonight. I am getting pretty sleepy sitting here in Gramma's lap. Don't forget that I love you and you will always be my best boy!

Your faithful dog, Wall-E

Dear Gavin,
I am sad today. Gramma told me that you have a new dog in your life. Papa held me while I was sad. He told me that he would be so sad if I went away.........
I must admit, that I felt better after Papa held me. But, Papa went to work and Gramma had to go to the grocery. Gramma let me be in charge of us dogs while she was gone and it wasn't even my turn! Even Oscar and Emmy are being extra nice to me today! Emmy didn't tell on me when I tackled her in the yard and Oscar played ball with me after the rain stopped.


Gramma tells me that your new dog is a boxer and his name is Rocky. I don't know if I have ever met a boxer before. Gramma says that he is a big dog. I am a little dog. He is brown brindle and I am white. We are both dogs, but we are different. Gramma says that Rocky likes you a whole lot. I do, too; so I guess we are alike.


Gramma showed me this picture from the ad that your mom saw when she found your new dog. It is hard to tell from this picture if he is nice. Your mom says that he is. I am not worried. I know your mom would never let a mean dog near you. I think she loves you almost as much as I do!

I will be here at Gramma's house waiting patiently to meet your new dog. Your mom tells Gramma that he is a good rider. I don't like to ride, so I am glad that you will be coming here. I just hope that you won't forget all about me. Gramma tells me that you won't. I think I will have to see you again to know for sure. Just remember............ I was your very first pet.

Love, Wall-E

Dear Gavin,
I was watching TV and minding my own business, when I learned that it was Mother's Day. I was stunned! Mothers have their very own day? Emmy tells me that there is also a Father's Day! Is there a dog's day? Oscar laughed at me. I was serious, though. Is there a dogs day? And if there isn't, why not?

For Mother's Day Papa gave Gramma a lawnmower. That is what she asked for. Emmy says that Gramma is practical. Gramma likes useful things. She mowed our yard inside the fence. She said the new mower did a fine job and was easier to start and to push. Us dogs checked it out when she was done. We rolled around in the grass and my hair turned a little green. I was kind of worried that we have to have another bath, but Oscar assured me that we were safe since Gramma just put our flea and tick stuff on us. He was right. Gramma scolded me a little, but then she kissed me on the head. I like it when she does that.

I hope you remembered to give your mom an extra kiss on this Mother's Day. Moms like that, you know. Gramma says that we all need to go out one last time and go to bed. Good night, my boy. I am thinking of you as I go to sleep.

Forever your dog, Wall-E

Doggles.........WHY?

Dear Gavin,
We went for a ride in that golf cart that Papa gave to Gramma. It was a beautiful, sunny day and Gramma said she had a surprise for me. She said she wanted to protect my eyes......... Oscar started to chuckle............ then he hid. Emmy got under her blanket. Do they know something I don't?


I thought she had a nice treat, then she put this thing on my head and over my eyes. Everything went dark!!

I do not like this, no, I do not!! And, if that wasn't enough, she said we were going for a ride. I don't know if you know this, but I really do not enjoy rides. I get a little queasy as the scenery flashes by and feel the need to hide my face in Gramma's neck.Is that what this contraption on my head is for?

I finally pushed them up on my head. I look ridiculous!! But, I have to admit that the sun wasn't quite so bright with these things called doggles on........

Papa rescued me and held me while I told Oscar and Emmy about my ordeal. They laughed!! I wish you were here, you wouldn't laugh......... would you?

I think I need to go have a long nap now. I am traumatized! She made me have a bath last night, too. Really, really traumatized!

I am counting the days until I see you, my boy!

Your traumatized (I like this new word!!) dog, Wall-E

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