White-colored, brown spotted Buster here. In some ways Eddie and I are alike. Yet in other ways we are very different dogs.

Eddie and I are both All American, mixed-breed dogs. We are roughly the same size. However, as you can see from the pictures on our blog we are different colors. And, Eddie has long legs and a long lean body. I am not as long as Eddie but I am wider in the chest. I am mostly a terrier-type dog and Eddie seems to be pointer and hound mix of some sort. Eddie has a naturally bobbed tail and I have a regular-type tail.

I do not like to play as much as Eddie does. I suppose whoever I first lived with did not teach about play. That’s probably because I was a yard dog in a rural area and never really lived in a house until I found Mister Tom. Eddie likes to play whenever he can. When I am outside my nose is mostly to the ground. I instinctively follow fence lines because there is a lot of critter smell there. It’s the same where there are bushes or plants bordering a lawn. Eddie sniffs the ground a lot but he frequently raises his nose into the air to sniff, too. Eddie roams around all over when he is outside. One thing we have in common is that when we start chasing a critter we don’t pay much attention to Mister Tom when he commands, “come.”

I have lived with Mister Tom for ten years but Eddie has lived with us for a little over a year. In each case, Mister Tom adopted us when we were about one-year old. We are northern dogs now who both originally came from the south.

I am cautious when meeting new dogs especially if they stick their nose in my face. Eddie does not seem to care about this. I am friendly with the dogs I know but that is about it. Eddie, on the other hand, wants to make friends with every dog he meets so he can play. We both like people critters a lot. We like the attention we receive from people.

BEGINNING TO BOND (Copyright 2014 by Buster J. Brown)

Eddie is mostly pointer and hound,
I’m a terrier dog with nose to the ground.

Eddie will stand a point on a rabbit,
I immediately chase, that’s my habit.

As for food, I am a gourmand,
Eddie’s dining is more mannered.

Eddie is taken to frolic and play,
I’ve never learned, that’s just my way.

We like the company, each of the other,
We’re not best pals, but we’re becoming closer.

Buster & Eddie
Beginning to Bond

Buster (white, brown spots) and Eddie (brown, brindle markings) here. Our experiment has lasted a year. Last March was our first poetry post. Over the past year our goal was to post a new poem or musing every week. We are conscientious dogs and have only missed a few weeks where we did not post.

We try to keep the poems interesting for our loyal followers (you know who you are). But, we are simple, ordinary dogs writing from our perspective. We do write a lot about being outside and about food. These are our two most favorite things. Still, we hope we vary the topics enough to hold your interest.

ANNIVERSARY (Copyright 2014 by Buster J. Brown and Captain Eddie)

Our well of passion and spirit,
It’s depth almost infinite.

We live for the moment, enjoying the ride,
Not marking the passage of time.

Life’s simple pleasures bringing a thrill,
Yet share our adventures we will.

On this occasion we’re obliged to declare,
Thanks for joining us this past year.

This is Buster. I’m the white-colored, brown spotted dog. Ever since I came to live with Mister Tom he has been teaching me stuff. It’s the same with Eddie. There are certain things we have to do. For example, at meal time we have to do a down-stay in the kitchen and wait. Once Mister Tom puts down our food bowl he walks back to us where we wait until he gives us the release word. Going outside it’s kind of the same thing. Even if the door to the outside is wide open, we have to sit and wait until Mister Tom says our release word. We go along with Mister Tom because when we do what he asks we get praise and pets. Sometimes we even get treats.

Every so often Mister Tom wants us to do something and we can get stubborn. It usually happens in our obedience training. I get bored and decide I would rather be doing something else. Eddie, too. Usually Mister Tom finds a way to trick us into doing what he wants, or so he thinks.

STUBBORNNESS (Copyright 2014 by Buster J. Brown and Captain Eddie)

We practice, work, and mostly appreciate,
His efforts to make us more considerate.

We’ve done it before and loved every minute,
Yet, this time we balk, our minds aren’t in it.

Sharp focus lacking, attention turned elsewhere.
Why should I do this, why should I care?

We yearn for the new and the different,
Ignoring command and treat enticement.

We are individuals with our own brains,
So what if we occasionally err when we train?

He urges us on with a different approach,
Finally we decide not to suffer reproach.

In the end he thinks he’s succeeded,
Yet we’re the ones who’ve really decided.

Buster back this week. I’m the white-colored terrier dog with the brown spots. When it comes to subtleties we dogs are more observant than you people critters. We hear you whine and grouse about the snow and slush and winter never ending. You would see and hear the changes coming if you paid attention like us dogs. Dawn is breaking earlier and sunset comes later. More significant than that is all the activity I notice among my bird buddies. I watch increased activity from my friendly chick-a-dees. My goodness, those crows are cawing and making a racket these days, too. If you listen carefully you will hear cardinal calls early in the morning. Yes, there are cardinals out there! Lately, I’ve heard red-winged blackbirds calling.

There are fewer mornings when we are greeted by bitter cold outside. So, despite the huge snow drifts we romp and frolic more. Pretty soon there will be mud outside that we can play in! Lately, Mister Tom has been checking the terminal buds on his two special transplanted trees. That itself is a good indication that spring is on the way.

WAITING FOR SPRING (Copyright 2014 by Buster J. Brown)

Earlier sunrise and later dusk,
Slow changes are in the works.

Morning calls are clearly heard,
Cardinal and red-winged blackbird.

Early arrivals or residents,
Yearning for spring, it’s evident.

Sunshine glimmering on snow melt,
Comforting warmth more intensely felt.

Excursions more extended outside,
Our zest for adventure refortified.

Bunnies more active, squirrels reemerge,
Activity of all sort on the upsurge.

Spirits both human and canine,
From doleful to expectant realign.

Buster in spring grass