Hi, Buster here! Mister Tom says that Eddie and I have an easy life. We have beds to lie down in all over the house. We get our meals every day. As an aside, we should get more delicious, stinky potted meat with our kibble instead of fresh vegetables. We always have enough fresh water in our bowls.

Mister Tom spends a fair amount of time training us to do obedience stuff. Training is mostly fun. What I especially like is when he talks to me in training. I like hearing “good boy” and “yeah, Buster.” Mister Tom talks to us when we are just hanging around the house, too. He does most of the talking and we do most of the listening and watching. Sometimes he can ramble on and on. Occasionally, he asks us what we think.

Eddie and I get lots of pets and scratches. I like scratches on my hind quarters even though Mister Tom insists on calling them “butt scratches.” Eddie seems to like leaning against people so they have to pet him.

THE GOOD LIFE (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

I train and it can be challenging,
But for my mind it’s most invigorating.

With work and play I get,
Exercise enough to keep me fit.

Travels to all sorts of places,
Visits with friends and sometimes new faces.

For doing what I’m asked to do,
Treats are given when my heart is true.

Meal time means I get to sample,
Bowl filled with food quite ample.

Beds provided to keep me warm,
There’s one in practically every room.

And from my human relationship,
Closeness, bonding, and companionship.

A dog’s existence can be filled with strife,
But for me I’ll take this good life.

Eddie here. I’m the mostly brown-colored dog. Mister Tom says I am a deliriously happy. My bobbed tail is wagging most of the time. He also says that I am filled with goodness (mostly). I have lived with Mister Tom and Buster for less than a year.

Just like with Buster, we go to obedience classes. Buster has been doing this obedience stuff for a long, long time. Buster gets to go to obedience trials to show how smart he is. I have not entered obedience trials, yet. I am still trying to get better at doing the things Mister Tom asks me. There are a lot of good things about working with him. The best thing is that I get praise and treats.

ESCAPE (Copyright 2013 by Captain Eddie)

We train but I do all the work,
“Eddie come,” “sit,” “heel” the words most spoke.

Heeling pace from slow to fast,
How much longer can I last?

On long sits and downs I wait,
Then we heel the figure-eight.

Urges to sniff the floor are strong,
I can’t hold out this long!

I’m given an opening on recalls lead-less,
When opportunity presents itself.

First I sit, then I stay,
As Mister Tom walks away.

He stops, turns ’round, then booms “Eddie come,”
Here it is, my chance to run!

And run I do around the room,
Avoiding capture, although capture looms.

I’m busted by his sneakiness,
Tricked by offers of treats, no less.

Lead back attached to collar,
This, the indignity I suffer.

Though my freedom may have been fleeting,
Spirit renewed, my escape most exhilarating!

Buster here! I am mostly a terrier dog. Mister Tom tells me that “terrier” means “of the earth.” That is, my focus is on the ground. He says it explains why I follow scent trails on the ground and patrol the fence lines. I like to believe it means I am the “salt of the earth,” humble and unpretentious.

Eddie and I investigate everything when we are OUTSIDE. We need to know what exciting changes occurred since our last outing. New seasons bring dramatic changes and are exhilarating.

CHANGES (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

Changes come with each new season,
Embrace the change, don’t search for reason.

New sights, new sounds, new smells abound,
Ears perked at the ready, nose to the ground.

Above I see geese that are flocking,
Listening skyward, sand hill cranes croaking.

Chipmunks actively stock winter store,
Racing to and fro with one tidbit more.

And those sneaky marauding squirrels,
Taunt and tease, I swear they chortle.

Each leaf that falls from the trees,
Dance ‘cross lawn on afternoon breeze.

I examine the leaves, each and every,
Tales they do tell to me and Eddie.

What treasures ‘neath leaves piled in a mound,
I plow underneath determined and bound.

Invigorated by the morning chill,
I’m exhausted exercising my sporting skills.

Comes afternoon with warming sunshine,
Next on agenda, Buster’s nap time.

Hi, this is Eddie. We three, namely me, Buster, and Mister Tom have been busy the past few days. Buster and I have been busily working on our obedience homework. Buster is used to the routine around the house. I am starting to figure out what the routine is most days. I thought I would write a short little poem about how my day starts.

DOG DAY BEGINS (Copyright 2013 by Captain Eddie)

I’m alerted as he stirs from his slumber,
I know his routine as if by the numbers.

Sounds I hear are my first clues,
Before he even puts on his shoes.

He must get his morning moving,
Before it’s even time for my outing.

Soon comes a command, “Eddie outside,”
I move fleet afoot not losing a stride.

I survey my dominion for the unusual,
As I complete my constitutional.

Now work and practice on obedience,
I’m used to this, my daily cadence.

Following this is praise and play,
This is how we begin our day.