[bchboy]

Dear BeeBee;

I've seen my owners at their worst: during the flu, while they argued, when relatives came and changed routines and when their moods were spoiled for no apparent reason.

(This has definitely affected her more than him since she moved chronologically to a new hormone level.)

With sore throats and achy heads, with arms bandaged up from injuries or when their jobs got the best of them, I've seen it all. I understand human emotions better than they know, and through it all, I love 'em to pieces. Why? Because they love me, blame me for nothing, and, with all the angst of living nowadays, they even praise their God for my very life.

They even comb and groom me---which I could live without. They wipe the cold snow from my paws and gently warm them back up. They give me variations of dog food (though I prefer a hunk of cheese, and she knows that), and they tell their relatives about my daily "cute" events. Although slightly embarrassing, I enjoy every word they say about me.

They put my coat on me in the cold and find time to walk me because we all need the exercise. Their voices are upbeat and loving, never shrill (except once, when I got really scared and pooped on someone else's beige carpeting; she did get a bit high pitched) and they praise me for being the good dog I'm trained to be.

They let me sleep in their room and sometimes, in real rare times, even on their bed---but he really doesn't care for that. I sit on her foot when she's eating (he doesn't care for that either). But this way, when she drops food, it's more convenient for me. When I was a baby and not doing my business outside because I really didn't want to, she yelled at me and gave me a spanking. I was kinda afraid of her that day. And she cried----buckets---and kept stroking me and saying she'd never do that again.

She never did, so I learned to trust her. We are best friends.

In the summer, they keep me cool and make sure I have lots of water, changing it during the day and before my bedtime. This is very nice. Being considerate of me is her best expression of commitment. And I never forget to jump on my hind legs and bark like crazy when she comes home from anywhere because this tickles the heck out of her. At my age, this isn't as easy as it used to be, but I'll always do this for her.

I love my owners because they're particular of what food to give me and how I smell. They even take me on vacations. Why, I've been to Florida, the Carolinas, New Jersey---all over. Once, she covered me in a huge blanket and told me to keep quiet as she sneaked me into a hotel that said "No pets allowed."

Phooey. As we reached the room, I poked my head out to see the place, and a maid, startled by my appearance, grinned and said, "Cute kid."

I fooled her.

When they watch TV, they throw my toys around for me to fetch and give me snacks. It is delightful living here, and we will grow old together; joyfully for me, this is a real nice picture.

She types a great deal during the day; so she typed this out for me. I hope I've helped another owner realize how much their pet loves them and that we are your family----even if we're furry and walk differently.

Gotta go now. Time for my last trip outside for the night, and I want to see if that lunatice cat is our neighborhood has been around.

Good night, and be kind.

Love,

BooBoo