Buster back. Mister Tom took Eddie and me up north for a long weekend. We did not get back until Monday afternoon. There was SNOW up north! Eddie and I had a ball. We were running around in the snow for the pure joy of being OUTSIDE. There are new smells in the air, new smells on top the snow, and smells underneath the snow. I use my nose like a snow plow so I can smell everything underneath the snow. Eddie does not snow plow as much as I do.

GLORIOUS SNOW (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

White flakes falling from the air,
Cold wind whips and we don’t care!

Sounds are muted, and objects changed,
Our landscape subtly rearranged.

No need to worry or fret,
This blanket of white is no threat.

We dive into adventures new,
Into this weather created coup.

As if reborn we celebrate and frolic,
This snow such a magical tonic.

We’d run and bound unabated,
Limits set only by a person exhausted.

Hi, Eddie and Buster here. Just a reminder to the occasional reader, Buster is the white-colored, brown-spotted, mostly terrier dog. Eddie (me) is the mostly brown-colored dog. Mister Tom says that we can be sneaky and stubborn, but he should not talk. When he works with me, Eddie, he says I am the handsomest dog around. When he works with Buster I hear him say exactly the same thing to him. He thinks he is fooling us.

Usually we are very good boys and well behaved. Occasionally Mister Tom asks us to do something we do not understand or do not want to do. For example, when Mister Tom first introduced me to the wood dumbbell I figured it was another toy so I grabbed it and tossed it around and ran around with it. Then I found out that the wood dumbbell is part of all this obedience stuff. I have to retrieve the wood dumbbell when Mister Tom tells me, and only when Mister Tom tells me. Then I have to bring it back to him and “give” on command. Well, that’s not as much fun as tossing it and running around with it. Consequently, I have been stubborn about taking the wood dumbbell in my mouth when Mister Tom commands, “take it.” From what I hear, Buster has been stubborn, too. When he and Mister Tom practice obedience stuff, Buster executes things almost perfectly. However, when Buster goes to the shows, he acts stubborn and refuses to do an exercise.

Maybe we should write a poem about stubborn Mister Tom?

SHIFTLESS KNAVES (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown and Captain Eddie)

With cuteness and an endearing gaze,
Even the dourest we mesmerize.

Outwardly friendly and congenial we are,
Most assume our hearts are always pure.

Eddie who’s filled with sensitivity,
Could melt a freeze in January.

Buster expresses true love’s emotion,
To adult and child, practically everyone.

Now and then we refuse his command,
We dig in heels and take a stand.

Obstinacy is a trait we share,
At least one of which we are aware.

And because we’ve been known to misbehave,
That’s why he calls us his shiftless knaves.

Hi, Buster here. You know, the white-colored, brown-spotted, mostly terrier dog. Mister Tom takes a lot of trips with Eddie and me. At first I was anxious and uneasy riding in the car. Mister Tom would talk to me and tell me that I was “okay” and that we were off on some exciting adventure. Over time I got used to it. Soon I figured out that when we travel we always go to some place where we have fun and I get to see my pals. Now I contemplate and reflect on our rides. Mister Tom calls it snoozing. At first Eddie was like me. He did not like riding in cars. Mister Tom talks to Eddie in the car to let him know that everything is just fine. Eddie has gradually gotten used to car rides. It still takes Eddie a few minutes to settle down.

TRAVELS (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

Always some telltale sign,
From even subtle things I divine.

When excursions may be in store,
So I concentrate and look some more.

Leads and collars made ready,
Something’s afoot for me or Eddie.

Tote bags filled with dog equipment,
Travel may await in the not too distant.

Sometimes it’s a false alert,
I await for indications more overt.

Then out comes my travel harness,
When properly fitted it is my aegis.

Off we go on some adventure,
An expedition to renew my vigor.

Hi, Eddie here. Remember, I am the mostly brown-colored dog in the pictures. Mister Tom says I am a deliriously happy fellow. I am very friendly and my tail is always wagging. Sometimes just racing around for no reason is a fun thing to do. When I race around like a maniac, Buster just watches me. Mister Tom says, “don’t worry, it’s just Eddie being Eddie.”

WILD CHILD (Copyright 2013 by Captain Eddie)

Bright eyes and looks beguiling,
At first blush that got him smiling.

Friendliness and gentle demeanor,
That was all that was needed.

Who could resist my happy soul,
There was at least one heart I stole.

And so I came with him to stay,
An easy choice, or so he says.

I’ve learned to mind and pay attention,
Focusing my energy, to a fashion.

With practice and patience ultimate.
He works to train this shelter mutt.

Praise and treats his modus operandi,
Progress I’ve made, not surprising.

No longer do I charge OUTSIDE,
I “sit” and “stay” and generally abide.

Quickly learning dinner etiquette,
“Down,” “stay,” until “free” I’m let.

And those annoying obedience stunts,
I never thought I’d learn that stuff.

Now and then I let loose wild,
Jubilation, not problem child.

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.

Eddie and Buster here. Our loyal followers know who is who. For newcomers to our blog you can find out about us in the section “Background: Who We Are.” We are happy dogs and mostly filled with goodness. Mister Tom says that Eddie is deliriously happy all the time. I have to agree. On the whole, we think we have things pretty good with Mister Tom. Of course there could always be more treats. And, Mister Tom should not shoo us off the upholstered furniture (it’s quite comfy). We love the company of human critters.

HAPPINESS (Copyright 2013 by Captain Eddie and Buster J. Brown)

Kind words and small deeds,
Sometimes are all we dogs need.

Tail wags when we hear “good boy,”
Embodiments of pure joy.

Travels to our favorite spots,
Cheerfully recall past visits in our thoughts.

Favorite toy brought out of hiding,
Gets us springing and bounding.

No need for a dinner chime,
Mealtime elicits happy whines.

Thrills, hearts pounding, adventures outdoors,
Another minute, please, we implore.

Once inside a drink of fresh water,
A dog’s life doesn’t get much better.

A simple smile upon his face,
To us is like an embrace.

A warm blanket and three tight circles,
Soothing rest now on the schedule.

Hi, this is Buster J. Brown, the very handsome, white-colored, brown-spotted dog in the pictures. The mostly brown-colored dog is Eddie. Ever since I first adopted Mister Tom we practice and work on obedience. I thought obedience training was a good idea; he had lots and lots of learning to do. Now I have Eddie’s help to work with Mister Tom and keep him in line.

WORK (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

Years of work has been spent,
It was Mister Tom’s intent,
For me to learn all the intricacies,
And execute most eagerly.

Novice, Open, and Utility,
Levels of obedience ingenuity.
An educated canine was his goal,
And I cooperated, on the whole.

Knowing those exercises well,
I perform my feats and excel.
On weekend trips to special venues,
Under his careful purview.

In the end the rewards I get,
Are his praise and companionship.
Yet Mister Tom, too, has been rewarded,
A special bond not quite expected.