Hi, this is Buster, the white-colored brown-spotted dog. We took a little vacation from our blog the week after Labor Day. We figured we deserved a vacation because of our hard work protecting the house and keeping Mister Tom out of trouble.

Eddie and I notice everything. At times Mister Tom believes we do not pay attention to him. Actually, we hear him and watch him all the time. Often we simply choose to ignore him. We notice all the stuff that is going on including changes in the weather and changes in the seasons.

SUMMER WANES (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

Summer wanes and we notice,
Early sunrises are behind us.

Morning adventures now in darkness,
Yet our spirits remain boundless.

Fresh scents no longer tingle,
Smells of harvest will soon linger.

A page is turning on the seasons,
Soon the excitement of migrations.

Each season brings new pleasure,
To this dog called Buster.

Hi, this is Buster, the white-colored, brown-spotted dog. Mister Tom says that every day Eddie and I make him smile. I don’t know exactly what we do other than mostly hang around and work on our training with him. He keeps telling us how lucky he feels to have two such wonderful dogs like us living with him. I don’t know about him being lucky, but I do know that Eddie and I are wonderful dogs! He mostly tells us that we are good boys and he sure likes giving us pets and scratches. We do not object to the attention.

STRIKING IT RICH (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown and Captain Eddie)

He never had a dog before,
Now he says he’s truly blessed.
We each came into his life,
In ways he did not expect.

Buster who was lost then found,
Was first to claim his house.
Sick and weary but happy still,
He came from woods deep south.

Eight years later another dog.
A different mixed-breed blend.
Captain Eddie arrived on scene,
And instantly made him a friend.

No matter the activity,
We always lend support.
Our hearts are open and immense,
Though in stature we are short.

Blessed with us, such pals,
Is more than serendip.
It could not be mere chance,
Our fateful relationship.

Now we are in residence,
His lifelong dream realized.
We are the beneficiaries,
But, for him we are life’s prize.

Hi, this is Eddie. I am the mostly brown-colored dog. Mister Tom has started calling me “Eddie Ed-ster.” I think he likes making up nicknames for me and Buster. We don’t mind the nicknames because we like when he talks to us. Mister Tom spends a lot of time teaching me things including obedience stuff. Buster has lived with Mister Tom for 9-1/2 years and he and Buster practice obedience work ALL THE TIME. I’ve only lived with Mister Tom and Buster since last November. I can only guess that Mister Tom will be teaching me things forever and ever, too.

EDUCATING EDDIE (Copyright 2013 by Captain Eddie)

Strange things he wants me to learn,
When I would rather just romp and run.

Why do I need to sit at the door?
Outside is beckoning, it’s hard to ignore.

Yet I sit and wait for my spree,
Until he tells me, “Eddie, free.”

Same thing happens when it’s time for my meal,
Impatiently I wait, it’s such an ordeal!

When I hear his voice booming, “Eddie, come,”
I’d much rather stay put where I am.

Now he’s teaching me, “Eddie, paw,”
Just so onlookers can be awed.

And why all this practice with back-and-forth heeling?
It would be much more fun simply playing.

What is the sense, why the concern?
Yet we work and work the figure-eight pattern.

A play thing I thought the dumbbell of wood,
Until “Eddie, take it” was commanded out loud.

My attention can wander, it’s not absolute,
He talks, I listen, and try to execute.

This Mister Tom is difficult to figure,
He can be such a demanding old codger.

But success is rewarded with treats and praise,
My pride is revealed in tail wag displays.

MY BACKYARD (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

Out the door onto the deck,
Time again for another trek.

Into the backyard I spring,
What could be in the offing?

This adventure is never dull,
There could be bunnies, there could be squirrels!

Nose to the ground I labor,
True to my terrier nature.

Check out the bushes and cedars,
Investigate every micro-acre.

Update on the red buckeye tree,
It’s growing quite modestly.

Burrow into the day lily thicket,
Brave this leafy gauntlet.

Follow the side fence line,
Note each and every sign.

Listen for a friendly neighbor,
Who knows what they might offer.

Think my rounds are completed,
My curiosity is never sated.

Back again from whence I began,
Time to do it all over again.

Hi, this is Buster, the white-colored, brown spotted dog. Mister Tom spends time teaching me and Eddie stuff. He taught both me and Eddie how to do a “down-stay” in the kitchen while we wait for our food bowl. Mister Tom puts the food bowl on the floor but we have to wait in our down-stay until Mister Tom releases us. Mister Tom taught me how to get my retractable lead and bring it to him when it is time to go OUTSIDE. He has not taught Eddie how to do this yet. And, when we go OUTSIDE, we have to wait in a “sit-stay” at the open door until Mister Tom releases us. We know that “house” means it is time to go back inside. Mister Tom taught both me and Eddie how to give “kisses.” If you ask us for a “kiss” we will lick your face. I know how to give a “paw” when you ask or if you say “high-five” I will do that too. Mister Tom is still teaching Eddie how to give “paw” when he asks. These are the kinds of tricks we know. However, we spend a lot of time learning obedience stuff. Almost every day we do some obedience practice. We get to leap over jumps or retrieve dumbbells. We do spend a lot of time practicing our heeling. At least when we do our heeling, Mister Tom talks to us all the time. Both Eddie and I like practicing our obedience exercises so we collaborated on the following poem.

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

A rustling of treat bags,
And a jingle of collars.
It’s time for our workout,
No time to dawdle!

Hurry you laggard,
I can’t wait.
I’m ready to go,
Don’t procrastinate.

As we get started,
I pay full attention.
Over eager perhaps,
You might say I’m smitten.

Simple exercises first,
More difficult follow.
We work through ‘em all,
As a team, not a solo.

When we are finished,
His persistence has paid.
I’ve refined my performance,
And am showered with praise.

Hi, this is Eddie, the mostly brown-colored dog. We dogs know lots and lots of stuff. We keep a close and careful watch over everything Mister Tom does so we know all about him and his peculiar human habits. Nothing escapes our eyes, ears, or nose.

STUFF DOGS KNOW (Copyright 2013 by Captain Eddie)

We know when activity outside,
Could mean a leisurely car ride.

Intermediate stops never trick us,
We’re attentive but never anxious.

Our destination seldom uncertain,
We know to rest and when to awaken.
            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lest we be forgotten,
Vocally we beckon.

Hours before mealtime arrives,
We remind with soft whines and cries.

We know where our food hides,
Out of sight, not out of mind.
            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

People, places, neighborhood hounds,
Do your job, make your rounds.

Where you’ve been and who you met,
Has not gone unnoticed, at least not yet.
            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Packages brought into our abode,
Get scrutinized with burrowed nose.

Don’t think we’re at a total loss,
We dogs know what comes and goes.
            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If you change the daily standard,
You’ll leave us dogs upset and staggered.

We know the daily routine to keep,
From morning stroll to evening sleep.

Mister Tom constantly reminds me and Eddie about the “good life” we have with him. Sure, we live in a cozy house that’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We get fed every day, and every day we have fresh water to drink. He makes sure we stay healthy, too. And, Mister Tom keeps our spirits engaged by talking to us and teaching us stuff. But, Mister Tom could, and should, do more for us poor ‘ole dogs.

NEVER ENOUGH (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

Never enough time outside.
For running around and acting wild.

Never enough time playing with toys,
A fitting prize for this good boy.

Never enough rewarding treats,
For all my obedience feats.

Never enough food in my bowl,
My appetite left unconsoled.

Never enough time to greet friends,
All too soon the visits end.

Never enough pets and scratches,
Something else will distract ‘em.

Never enough time to slumber,
On forbidden places like furniture.

Never enough time to blog,
He sets a curfew for this dog!

Never enough, never enough,
That’s why this dog’s life is so rough.

Eddie and I have Mister Tom ALL figured out. We are keen observers of human behavior.  It’s a good thing he doesn’t play poker because he has too many “tells” even we dogs can see. For example, there’s a good chance we’re going OUTSIDE when he puts on his rubber moccasins. Leather leash and training collars in his hands means we get to do our obedience workout. When Mister Tom is packing stuff in the car there’s a chance we all are going someplace fun. The smell from a freshly peeled banana means we get a special, tasty treat. We also know his different hiding places for all of our treats!  The sound of a plastic bag opening means there is the possibility of a treat. Heck, these human critters are way too easy to figure out.

We have Mister Tom pretty well trained, too. In the early evening we make sure to follow him wherever he goes and sometimes softly whimper.  If we do that he finally succumbs and feeds us our dinner. When we pace back-and-forth to the door he eventually takes us OUTSIDE. If we bring him a toy we can trick him into playing with us. And, if we lie down and roll on our side we are assured of some belly rubs.

EYES TO THE HEART (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

I see his face and watch his eyes.
They tell me thoughts that underlie.

Both eyes fixed and intense,
His determination I can sense.

Stern looks and eyes scrunched,
Something wrong is my hunch.

A gaze of lazy contemplation,
Nothing happening in my estimation.

Open, smiling, eyebrows raised,
I sense approval and praise.

Telltale expressions do impart,
The true intentions of his heart.

CURIOSITY (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

A rustle of grass.
Or movement in trees.
My senses are piqued,
Alert to all these.

Warm summer breezes,
Bring messages on air.
I stand at attention,
My nostrils are flared.

I hear a new sound,
And give it a ponder.
From where did it come,
Somewhere off yonder?

A brand new locale,
Or places I’ve been.
I fear I may miss,
So I take it all in.

Mission accomplished,
All said and done.
Curiosity sated,
Until the next run.

Hi, this is Buster, the white-colored, brown-spotted dog. Eddie and I are low maintenance when it comes to our emotional needs. Pets and scratches from just about anybody make us happy. We are happy when people talk to us. Mostly it does not matter what people say. We love hearing “good boy, good dog.” We wag our tails excitedly when people say our names. We are happy when we see “Pals-O-Buster™” or “Pals-O-Eddie™.” Some of our other favorite words are: “treat,” “dinner,” and “OUTSIDE.”

SIMPLE PLEASURES (Copyright 2013 by Buster J. Brown)

The crack of dawn,
It’s morning time.
This hour of day,
Excitement is prime.

The routine is the same,
I know what to expect.
Sometimes he is slow,
And I often object.

He unhurriedly awakens,
I urge quick action.
I’m ready to GO,
OUTSIDE, the attraction.

As he pulls self together,
I anxiously wait.
Unlike us dogs,
This man, too sedate.

Finally, magic words spoken,
Once shoes on his feet.
I scurry to door,
Not missing a beat.

Whether summer heat,
Or winter chill.
I dash OUTSIDE,
Dive into the thrill.

Simple pleasures this stroll,
Same one-act play.
Legs stretched, eyes open,
Embracing a new day.