It's the CAT

Today Kali and I figured out the big mystery of who the favourite really is. Turns out we were not even in the running. Sure I am her favourite big dog, Kali is her favourite little girl dog and Moe is her favourite boy dog but as far as straight across the board favourite, it is the cat. Yep, she who must not be named is her all time favourite four legged companion.

Evidence includes:

• she sleeps ON Georgia
• she is let in and out of the house at will
• she wakes Georgia up at 3:00 am to be patted - and she is!
• she is allowed on the furniture
• her food tastes better - way better, I steal it all the time so I know
• she is allowed to bully us all with no repercussions

And most importantly

• she said so

Conversation over, mystery solved, favourite identified.

Is this for real, where do these things keep coming from?

Ok, take a look at the pictures and try to determine what is wrong.






Yes, that is right, there are three Pomeranians in those pictures. THREE POMERANIANs!

THREE!

THREE!

Why are there three, I am sure I have heard Georgia say, "I should have stopped at one." She managed to do that with her human puppy, why can she not do it with these little dog things?

Apparently Midnight is just visiting Camp Kalimoe for a week, I have seen her here before so I am not sure if that is true or not.

Loving the leash

I was out for a walk the other day on leash and Georgia was being a bit anxious, she wanted to let me off leash so I could "be free" but it was a bit too busy where we were walking - lots of opportunities to eat other dogs and scare people. As her anxiety heightened her friend Jillian pointed out that I was perfectly relaxed and happy on my leash, my body was relaxed and I was just sniffing around.

Jillian was right. I am just happy to be out and about, smelling smells, marking bushes and being with my pack. I don't need to run free, I am happy and do not get into trouble when I am on leash. I am glad Jillian was there to point out the obvious to Georgia because now we walk on leash without the nagging anxiety and concern. if it is a leash walk, it is a leash walk.

Thanks Jillian.

Guest Dlogger - Kali Argyle

Hi,
I have been following Charlotte's dlog with a lot of interest these past three weeks. Most of what she has to say in an accurate reflection of our life here at camp Kalimoe. I do take issue however with her "evidence" about her being MY mom's favourite. Really, anybody can look around and find evidence to support whatever position they want to take, in fact we are generally inclined to do just that as it avoids the discomfort that comes from uncertainty.

So rather than create a false reality in order to comfort yourself let me give you certainty about this one thing.

I AM MY MOTHER'S FAVOURITE!

It is pretty simple and requires no other discussion.

But if you need convincing let me point out:

• I sleep in my mom's bed - under the covers - all night
• I am the first face she looks into every single morning and she greets me with kind words and kisses
• She brushes me every day
• I am the only one with a rain jacket, you and Moe have to get wet when it rains
• She breaks all of my food up into teeny, tiny pieces, an indication of her heightened concern for my personal well being
• I sit on her lap - I have never seen you there.
• Oh, and those screams of "delight" you mentioned when you licked her, that is NOT delight, that is disgust.

There is more, much, much more but lets not depress you with the facts. Be happy with your secondary status and when your mom gets back you can be her favourite.

Your mom is coming back right?

Breaking the law on Baker street

MOM, what kind of a person have you left me with? Look at this photographic evidence of her leading me into a life of crime. That is me, on Baker street, in broad daylight. I can read, I saw all the "no dog' signs posted everywhere but she made me do it.

She had some kind of story about a Margarita, long walks home and  trekking back across town to reclaim the car. Why one bad choice has to lead to another I do not know but I am not entirely comfortable breaking the no dogs on Baker street law. What's next? An off leash run around Lakeside park?

The only upside to this situation is my growing comfort with other dogs, tons of people and the busyness of the streets. I am a pretty darn good doggy.

The ultimate lick

Since being here I have been trying to give Georgia a really, really good lick. You know those slobbery ones that cover a lot of surface and really convey the totality of your love and appreciation for someone? Yah, that kind of lick. Well today was the day, ooooeee it was a good one. I know I got my message of love across because Georgia reacted with intense enthusiasm. She leaped up, she screamed and she ran around saying my name with a lot of emphasis.

The tone was a bit off, kind of confusing actually as it did not seem to reflect what I saw as her delight and excitement. Perhaps she was not ready for that direct of a communication. I did lick her right across the face...while she was talking...and did get the inside of her mouth and nose...perhaps you need to have a better relationship with a human before you do that..

I will have to try a variety of licks of different intensity and see where the acceptable threshold is based on 6 years of knowing a human.

IT'S NOT THE FOOD! I can not believe this, I was so sure that Kali and Moe had better food than I did, I mean it tasted better, I ate more of it and I refused to share because it was so good. Then today I watched Georgia scoop food right out of my bowl and put it in Kali and Moe's bowl. Same food but still way better when I eat from their bowl. It must be the bowl.

MOM, you have to get a bowl like this. I have included a photo for reference, they might sell them in the Cayman Islands where you are working. You can bring me one when you come home.

You are coming home right?

How? How is this happening?

How is happening? I am so sure I am bigger than Kali, much bigger, 16 times bigger. HOW does she end up getting the big dog bed? My dog bed? And then how do I settle for the little dog bed, the one that is so small I can not even get my torso on it, so small you can not even tell I am laying on anything and the edges are digging into my side and I toss and turn all night from discomfort.

But not Kali, no not Kali. She sleeps peacefully on my bed with my bones as if she owns the place. One day I am going to put her in her place.

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,
I want you to consider this request. While I have been at camp Kalimoe I have noticed that their food is WAAAYYYYY better than mine. I mean, Georgia fills Kali and Moe's food bowl and I just gobble it down, it is so delicious. I can not tell you the brand but I can tell you it looks a lot like mine only the bag is much smaller.

It is so good mom, please, please get this food when you come home.

You are coming home right?

Almost lost an eye for this one

Yep, I courted death taking this picture, who knew anger could be so immediate and direct. Anyways, it was worth it to get photographic evidence of the creature I mentioned earlier. Any suggestions on what this thing is. It smells like a cat but does not behave like our sweet cat at home. I tried to sniff her and she almost took my nose off. Kali gives her lots of room and respect and has suggested I back off and accept my place in the hierarchy. Moe said "forget that lets keep trying." Based on the scratches all over Moe's face I think I will go with Kali's approach, less painful.

There it is..

I have been spotted...

RUN!

Fellow camp mates

I realized I have not even told you about Kali and Moe. It turns out they live here full time, this is their house. Moe is the guard dog around here, which is cute because I am not sure what he could do if faced with a real threat, but I do not tell him that as he takes his job so seriously. He sits at the window and watches for intruders which there are a surprising amount of, that creature I spoke of earlier, some skunks, two racoons, a local dog and a small orange cat. This keeps Moe busy most of the day.

Kali is more relaxed, she has an attitude of sharing everything and does not feel the need to chase everyone away. The sharing includes everything I brought from home and I am sleeping on the hard, cold floor while she hogs my dog bed. we have had a couple of conversations about this and oddly I lose each time.

City Dog

Another one of my possible new identities is "City Dog". I have been trying this one on for size over the last 8 days and it is ok, perhaps not my best role but I am managing it.

Every morning I go for a walk about the neighbourhood. I stay on my leash, I am not allowed to pull or sniff and I have to greet other dogs without baring my teeth and issuing forth a deep, rumbling growl. We walk on the pavement, my poo is quickly picked up and disposed of, I make way for people walking in the other direction and I am required to be "civilized". Thankfully this all ends with a run through the forest and and romp on the beach because it would be unbearable without that.

So, mom lets not do that one. Yes to car dog, no to city dog.

Give my kids a lick on the face please.

Putting the pieces together

Ok, I have gathered some more evidence to support my theory on who the favourite is at Camp Kalimoe.

1. I get fed first
2. I get my leash on first
3. I get to go out the door first after Georgia
4. I get let into and out of the car first
5. I have my very own bed in the master empress bedroom
6. Georgia keeps petting me and telling me I am her best girl - strong evidence here
7. When Georgia is petting Kali or Moe I only have to push them out of the way and she focusses her attention on me

I am becoming more and more sure that I am the clear favourite and I am happy about that.

Addressing Hughes concern that I may return from camp as a spoiled dog

YES

Private trails, wild game, fresh spring water

What a great place, thanks family for sending me here. Camp Kalimoe has a series of private trails which have been stocked with wild game and fresh mountain streams. Today I chased three white tailed deer, I am sure I would have caught them if Moemoe had been a bit more stealth, he just does not understand subtlety. I had been tracking them for about 10 minutes and was just about  to make my move when Moemoe starting yapping his head off. Needless to say I will not dine on fresh venison this evening.

She who must not be named....

Ok, I have not told you about the part of this camp that is frightening. I did not want you to hurry home on my account but I do feel I have to let you know there is something to fear here. I am not entirely sure what it is, all I know is we all live in fear of it and stick to the edges of the house when it comes into the room. Oddly, Georgia is not scared and even touches the thing, she must be very, very brave. I have been unable to photograph the creature but I will because I want you to see what I deal with every day and perhaps you can shed some light on what the heck it is.

Tell the kids I am ok, but they should never, ever come here when the creature is about. I think she could probably eat Nathan or Emma.

Becoming a whole new dog

While at camp Kalimoe I have taken on a new identity. The work load is super light here, one human puppy to guard and he sleeps most of the time so I have a lot of time to contemplate life and how I would like to spend my golden years. I have had the opportunity to try out a few identities that may fill the time as my human puppies grow older.

Today I was a car dog. This one is great and I really hope my mom will let me do this when she gets home - she IS getting home right?

Anyways, a car dog sits directly behind the driver and has the opportunity to have a say in the direction of travel. I do this by licking the driver's face when she goes the wrong way, this results in shouts of excitement and the car swerving in the direction I had hoped for. Super fun. We all love it.

Why go the the Caymans when...

Hey mom, I hope you are reading this because I have to tell you that you do not need to travel so far away next time you want some fun in the sun. This picture was taken at Red Sands beach RIGHT HERE IS NELSON!

It was a balmy -2, the water was lovely and we had the place to ourselves. Truly incredible, I would have thought it would be wall to wall people but there we were all alone and me the only one swimming. Amazing.

And yes, that is snow in the distance - bet you don't get that where you are!

Determining who really is the favourite in this place

This is not a simple determination. This morning Georgia, (that is the lady's name - I always wondered what the kids meant when they would see her car drive up and they all started screaming "georgiageorgiageorgia". I didn't realize that was her name I thought it was a strange human ritual you went through when presented with chocolate because the kids always smell like chocolate soon after they yell like that.) Anyways, Georgia woke up this morning and said, "Come here Charlotte my best girl." So I did and she knew what to do, I got the full body doggie rub down, very satisfying, but then she picked up the little runty dog and said, "Look at my sweet little favourite baby girl dog." Those are confusing messages, it sounds like she thinks we are both good dogs and I know for sure Kali has some issues, for evidence look to my last dlog post where you see clear evidence of her lack of boundaries.

Anyways, I will continue to stay attuned to the situation until I determine who is in fact "favourite".

Caught red pawed

The security around here is pretty loose. I left MY bone on MY bed for less than a minute and when I got back.....

Selfies from yesterday - so happy to be out and about

Settling in

Ok, things look not too bad around here now that I understand the routine. We got up early and went for another walk, shorter this time and I even got to meet three other dogs, I only growled at one of them and the lady here said 'Nice dog" and plied me with treats so clearly not a weight loss camp, I should be ok.

When we got home I got the biggest bone which I promptly traded with Moe for his little bone which I was certain had to be better - I think he might be the real favourite, I will have to keep my ears open and find out for sure.

I will post some pictures tomorrow, I am getting pretty good with a camera and have some great selfies.

Is this a weight loss boot camp?

I am starting to suspect this may not be all it appears. This afternoon the woman who calls me "best girl" took me on a three hour hike. Sure I am a little portly, but I did not think my mom would send me to a weight loss camp. I hope I do not end up as small as the other two dogs who are registered here.

Saying Goodbye

Today my family left on a long trip. I am not sure how long but I think really long because my mom made lots of sad and then reassuring sounds, so a long time but they are coming back. I hate traveling but I love my family so I drooped my ears and moped around all of last week so they knew I loved them, I had to be careful though because too much moping and they might have forced me to go with them. It is a delicate balance letting them know that I am sad they are going but happy I am not.