When I submit these thoughts to "Daddy" to be put on our website, I am somewhat subject to his editing as he sees fit. For example, elsewhere on this page he edits my comments to suggest that I am some kind of "holy terror", just rampaging about as I please.
But that is not entirely accurate. You see, I cannot help it that when "Momma" brought me home she thought I was so cute that she started treating me like a little human. In fact, it was a couple of months before I found out I was a dog. Who knew!?!
But I do do what I am told, although I do sometimes ponder it for a moment. After all, I have to consider whether their commands are in my best interest, don't I?
I think I have turned out pretty good, if you ask me. Many dogs of my breed, Cocker Spaniel, have a hard time being left alone without their people. They don't like to be outdoors. They don't like to be left at kennels. But I am quite happy with all of those.
You see, since my people are "pastors", they are not always at home. And quite often that is for a l-o-n-g time. When I was just a little thing they had to go away every weekend for a month (which was 1/6th of my life at the time) to do what Momma calls preaching. What it really is is that Daddy talks a lot without stopping. It was fun though, because before they would leave they would sing a lot too. I think they called it practicing to lead worship. I would sing along. I like to sing.
And when they are away during the day they leave me outside in my yard so I don't have to be in a cage. They know I had to be in a cage all day, every day before they brought me home, so I don't much like cages.
So I got used to kind of being my own boss. Daddy calls it spoiled, and makes it seem like I am a terror. But it is really just that I am, "Queen of all I survey."
Rileigh's World
From time-to-time I will be writing about my experiences as a dog in Mama and Daddy's home. My Daddy calls me "Princess Diva Dog". I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds good so I'll keep it.
Actually, I think that means I get to sit in Mama's lap alot, eating green beans from her hand and drinking water from a cup. Which is a good thing.
I think it also means giving Mama a kiss when I am hungry and want some of whatever she is eating.
And I am pretty sure it means getting my run of the house as I see fit. Jumping from sofa-to-sofa. Barking at the fridge to get ice, cheese, or green beans,
Oh well, such is the life in Rileigh's World.
I Like This Time Of Year
I could really get used to cold weather.
You see, every time it gets colder, my Mama and Daddy go away for a day and when they come back they bring me new toys. They tell me that the toys come from "Nana".
Now, I don't much like it when they leave me, but new toys are nice.This time I got something they call a Santa Claus, a rope bone, a little white doggy, a new ball, and more. Wow!! Lots of great stuff. Plus, when its cold, I get to sleep inside. I bark my head off for a while just to confuse them, but I really like to sleep in when it gets cold. But it has to be REAL COLD, because I also like my independence.And my back yard gives me all kinds of freedom. My cage is a little too confining for my tastes, but it is toasty warm. And Mama turns a radio on so I can listen to what they call "Christmas msuic".
All-in-all, a pretty good time of the year.
What's A Doggie To Do?
OK, what's up with this stuff? My Mama and Daddy have these "things" in the house. When they push a button, these things begin to make noise and move. One doggy-type thing flaps its ears while it sings. The other, some penguins, a snowman, and a Christmas tree light up, shake, ring bells, etc.
I just don't understand all these intruders in my home. Plus, when I express my displeasure at them being in my home, my Mama just laughs. Daddy is worse. He moves the things closer to me. I back away, then he laughs.
But if they were to wake up one morning and find that I have defended my home agianst these invaders, I have a feeling they might not laugh.
So what's a doggy to do?
The Real Me, Be Enthralled
My Mama can be funny. She thinks I was barking at a mystery something in the backyard, that I didn't know what it was. Well, just because she cannot see or hear something doesn't mean it is not real. Of course, I may not have seen or heard it either, but I think I did. And I wanted “it’ or to know I am the boss and this is my yard. Anything back here should be very scared.
Well, I finally went back in the house. I am satisfied that I had told them off and that my backyard is safe and secure. Mama is cleaning house now so I've got dishes to try to lick as she puts them in the dishwasher and laundry to get out of the basket and run around the house with and paper from the dining room table to terrorize.
My life is just a blur of important activity. BTW, thought you might like to see the real me. Hope you think I am as cute as I think I am. Not that I have an ego or anything, it's just the truth.
