Mom Said

Mom said I could be her guest blogger because she's too tired. She said it's because I’m so curious.  I don’t know why my being curious about things should make her so tired.

Anyway. I'm supposed to introduce myself. My name is Cooper. Mom and Dad said I'm named after the actor who played Will Kane in a movie called "High Noon." Their last dog (he was a cousin of mine) was named Wyatt Earp, and they said naming me Cooper kept up with the Western theme – because I'm an Australian Shepherd, and even though we're called Australian, we were bred in the American West. (That's confusing). They also said that Gary Cooper was handsome and I'm handsome, too.

Mom told Dad I was a really good puppy today. She also said, "All things considered." (Do you know what she's considering?) She said I kept her busy. I kept me busy, too. After all, I am a working dog. I had a lot of work to do.

I've never lived in a house before, and I'm learning there are a lot of rules. I'm not allowed to piddle wherever I want. In fact, I'm not supposed to piddle inside at all. I'm not sure why, but Mom gets so happy when I piddle on the grass that I'm really trying to remember.

Mom gave me toys and said I could chew on them. I like my soft toy. (It squeaks!)  But there's all this other stuff that Mom says I can't chew at all. Not the chair or the table leg or the handle on the fireplace inset or the computer cords. Not even her hair or her toes. I try and sneak in a quick nibble here and there, you know, when Mom's not looking. She's pretty smart though and catches me right away. Still, I'm thinking some day that I'll be able to get to that fireplace handle. I'll just have to chew fast.

And I learned to go down the stairs! They scared me at first, but I finally went down each and every one (the treats helped). Mom told me I was very brave, just like that hero Gary Cooper played.

Once I made it down the stairs I got to visit Mom's sewing room. She has a lot of stuff in there. (I'm not supposed to chew on any of it either, but I don't think she'd notice if I chewed up just one or two things, do you?) Mom said we'll visit the sewing room a lot. She sure was busy in there. She said tomorrow I can show you what she's working on.

Mom just gave a big yawn and told Dad it's been a long day. I think she must be right because when I think about all I've done today, I'm tired, too. I'm going to sleep now. Last night I whined a little when they put me in the crate (cause I missed my brother), but I'm going to try and be very brave and not whine at all tonight. And tomorrow I'm going to remember to piddle outside each and every time. Cause, you know, when Mom's happy, I'm happy.

Night.