School's in Session!!

I am so glad that my mom is finally taking time to sit down and update my blog. So much has happened since my last entry. I think I'll start with my class at Tulsa Dog Training Club!! I am now enrolled in Novice II. I am sure you are all wondering what on Earth that means. Well my mom says it means something about lots of practice tests in order to compete in an Obedience Trial. I really enjoyed winter break, and really slacked off on my homework. I blame my mom, she didn't ever tell me it was time for school work, so we were a little rusty on the first day of school this session.

I appear to be the only "little" dog in my class. I am not sure why my mom calls me a little dog, I try to be like the big dogs. However, whenever any of my classmates come over to say hi, I realize that their heads are the size of my entire body. But, I am not intimidated. I can hold my own. My good friend, Thor, is back...he's a big black New Foundland breed dog. There are a couple of dogs that look like St. Bernards but mom asked what kind of dog they were, but all I remember is "mountain dog"...they really have a lot of stuff that leaks out of their mouth in class. I really like to sniff it as we are doing walking stuff. There are 2 German Shepards in my class, a border collie who seems really nice. There is a neat looking black and what dog, I have no idea what kind of dog she is, but I know her name is Crissy. And there is a standard poodle whose name is Jackson. I am really hoping to make some new friends during this class.

I am excited that Mr. Jerry is my teacher again. I hope to make him proud (and my mom too of course). The first class was pretty nutso. Mr. Jerry knew that none of us dogs had been practicing our homework over our winter break. So we really took the session to get used to each other and get back into the routine of practicing all of our cool dog skills.

During the week in between class, mom and I practiced quite a bit. I even did a little performance for my grandma and granddad. I felt prepared for class. I think I am doing okay in school. I got a little spooked when someone's leash hit the side wall, but other than that I did everything else in school I was supposed to.

Today was a fun day! There was a ton of snow on the ground today. I love playing the snow. My mom took some video of me playing in the snow and with "big dog friend", the weird noise (if it's there) would be my mom on her bike trainer with the tv on really loud in the background. I am glad to have a normal schedule again. I like when my mom is home during the day, but I don't really like to sleep when she's around. So now that she has gone back to teaching classes at TU, I can take some dog-naps during the day time. So I am well rested, and ready to practice all my cool dog tricks.

My Favorite New Toy!!

I have had a lot of people ask my mom what I got for Christmas. I got some great stuff! I got a package of Bully Sticks, which I love!!! I also got a new "Green Girl" although this one is Red. It is one of my favorite fluffy toys to play tug-o-war and fetch with. I got a really cool Pomeranian Christmas Tree ornament. I got some duck treats (my favorite favorite FAVORITE kind).

But, when my Gramma got back from Florida she had this really cool fluffy pillow that looked like a cat. I really really REALLY liked it. Mom said I couldn't play with it though because it's Gramma's. Well to my surprise, my mom went and got me one that looks like a dog. I love stomping on it and throwing it and stomping on it again! See the video above.

Hope everyone's new year is starting off with a bang! I am hoping my mom gets to feeling great, she's been pretty under the weather.

Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone had as much fun ringing in 2011 as I did!! I wasn't really sure what New Year's was going to have in store for me. My mom said something about a Dog Costume Contest and a 1 mile fun run. I really don't get the need for a costume. I am a pretty handsome dog. Mom says I dress up daily as "pretty boy," I am not too sure what that means, but I am sure I'm handsome. Everyone says so anyway.

We started off the last day of 2010 on a laid back note. It's been so cool sleeping in with mom around. Once we got up, mom ran to the store (although I heard the garage door open and am pretty sure she drove). Once mom got home, she did some stuff in the kitchen. I couldn't see up that high on the counter, but it smelled good. Then it was time for mom to use my Christmas present to her, the bike trainer. I love when she works out on the trainer because then I can hang out outside without worrying about being caught by a dog snatcher. I really like just sitting on the deck and monitoring the activity in my backyard. I have dog friends on all sides. On one side, there is a golden lab mix named Sampson. Sampson seems nice enough...we bark at each other through a wooden fence. The neighbor dog behind me is a HUGE dog!!! He's fun (I think), but glad there is a fence between us. I think it would take 50 of me to make up one of him. Mom refers to him as my "big dog" friend and she's not kidding. We like to have a contest to see who can do the best downward dog. He gets points for speed and agility, but I think I get points for cuteness and style. On the other side, is my best friend "Cubbie" and his brother Bear. Cubbie and I love to play run the fence. It is a great game, and I hope we get to play it lots during 2011. I have asked mom to take some pictures of my friends, so hopefully you will see them soon on one of my future posts.

Anyway, back to New Years Eve. Mom and I went to the dog store and I picked out a costume. Mom said she thought I should dress up in a cute "girl" outfit, because that's what a lot of the guys in the run group do. I quickly barked out a "No" to that one. I searched around the store. Mom showed me a "preppy boy" outfit. I thought "eh," so we kept looking. Mom then showed me a shirt that said "If I throw a stick will you go away," I thought this was humorous but not quite the charming look I was going for. Then I spotted it...the one....the outfit that would be the best costume ever. Biker clothes!!! One of my favorite things to do on a car ride is to bark at motorcycles and bicycles. It was perfect for me! I got an awesome "Harley Davidson" tank top shirt and cool ball cap. I really wanted a pair of Doggles to go with it, but mom said that they cost too much money. Here is my look:



Mom took the above picture at home, because well as you can see below I was too excited to show off my costume at the run for mom to get a good picture. She tried...but a dog can't help but wag his tail when people say how awesome he is!!







There weren't many other dogs at first at the run, but at 10:30 when the dog costume contest was supposed to start all the sudden there were 10-20 other dogs!! I was getting nervous. I asked my mom to hold me for a while. I liked being up higher so that I could see all my usual running friends and check out the competition. Then it was performance time. Mom took me up to the front of the tent. I sat like I do in dog school and then healed like I was supposed to. I think I smiled and winked well to get crowd points. I had quite the applause. It was AWESOME!! Then it was time for the awards to be handed out. They started with 3rd place, then 2nd then 1st. They said they had a tie for first and then announced "Harley and Boomer". I was a little bummed...and then they said the "biker dog"...that's me!!! that's me!!

I Won!! It was awesome. Even if I hadn't won, I still had a great time! I got some great dog treats from the people at the TSPCA and the Yellow Dog Bakery. Mom even got a gift card to one of her favorite restaurants "Los Cabos." Here's a picture with me and my winnings:



I had fun doing the 1-mile fun run with my mom. It was a little chilly at first, but I made good time. I did it in under 14 minutes...pretty good for having to sniff a couple of new trees and leave my mark, and well sometimes nature calls. Runners get that...when ya gotta go, you gotta go.

I then snuck into the 5K run with mom. She had to carry me for the first mile or so. She said something about I might trip some other runners that were going really really fast. Once we got into thinner foot traffic I got to walk the last 2 miles myself. It was a nice walk with mom and some of my other running friends. It was a pretty cool night outside, but the fireworks and good company made it loads of fun.



I hope to have a fantastic 2011!! I hope to pass the Novice II class at Tulsa Dog Training Club and start agility training. I hope to perform in my first Obedience Trials. I also hope to get to enjoy lots of sticks and squirrel chasing and game nights. Thanks to everyone who made 2010 a great year to be Boca Bear!!!

Here's to an awesome 2011!!!!!

Visiting Family on Christmas Eve

I have been really enjoying my Winter Break. My mom has been home more, and we have been going on some mini-adventures. On Christmas Eve, mom and I went to visit my great Granny. She was asleep when we got there, but I woke her up by hoping on her chair and she woke right up with a smile.



We then played a licking game. I am hoping my video uploads so that everyone can see and hear everyone laughing at our great game.



We have been taking care of my aunts and uncles while Gramma and Grandad are visiting my Uncle Tim and family in Florida. We haven't seen my uncle Orion in several days and mom and I are both getting a little worried, but he's part of the yellow animal club so he has to turn up eventually, right?

Mom and I are still dealing with mice in our house. We only see one at a time, but I got annoyed last night. There was one of the silly mice trying to get into my dog treats. I could hear it rustling around trying to get into my dog treat bags. So I barked at it and it ran away and into a little hole. Those things can squeeze into some tiney tiny places. Mom and I did catch one by luring it into my toys and then dumping them outside.



Mom says starting next week, I have to start practicing my dog school skills again. I am glad. I like routine, and showing off how smart I am. I hear that Gramma and Granddad are coming back to town on Tuesday. I helped mom come up with the best Christmas gift for them and my Aunts and Uncles...I can't wait to share.

I hope all my 2-legged and 4-legged friends have a great Christmas. I spotted my stocking and it has some new toys sticking out of it...so although I have other stuff I could share...it will have to wait!!



Merry Christmas!!

My Very First Mouse Hunt

It was a pretty boring week, with a few exceptions...


My mom said something about having mice in our house. At first, I had no idea what this meant. And then on Wednesday night, mom and I were getting ready to call a day and I spotted a little critter hiding behind the bathroom door. I barked and barked, but the critter seemed to be frozen in time. Mom finally came to see what I was barking at, and gave an "aha" there is a mouse. We then called for reinforcements. Mom put some white looking trap things, and gramma brought over my 2 uncles and 1 of my aunts. They are cats. Gramma says that my feline aunts and uncles like to catch and eat mice. So we had a sleep over!!! It was sooo cool having my aunt and uncles at my house. They were a little freaked out at first, and did a lot of exploring around my house. While they adapted to my house, mom and I went for a walk with the Runners World group. My mom was so out of it, she forgot to put on some shoes she can run in, but it was a nice walk. When we got home, it was time for KU basketball to play on TV. We all settled in and watched the game. Here's a picture of my uncle Orion, who took over the huge recliner, and my aunt Hannah, who took over my window seat.




Here is a great picture of me hanging out with my Uncle Orion!! We have a little club called the "yellow and white" animal club. Can you guess why?




My mom took me to hang out at the Dog Agility Trial on Saturday and Sunday for a couple of hours. It looked like so much fun jumping over stuff and running around in the dirt. At first I was really nervous, but once I figured out how it all worked I just sat on my mom's lap and took it all in.




I had to cheer on the little Pomeranian as she ran through the course. If I could put a little vision bubble above my head that would show me acing the course!!



I hope to spend the rest of this Sunday unwinding and hanging out. Of course as soon as I typed this, my mom and I just heard a weird sound...Mom says we caught a mouse in one of those white things...Wonder if my aunt and uncles are coming over again....

Thanksgiving Coma

Wow...have I ever had a busy 2 weeks. It all started with my mom leaving to go to some state called Pennsylvania. I got to stay with my Gramma and Granddad. I love hanging out at their house. They have 4 cats (my aunts and uncles). My Uncle Marcel kinda runs the roost there. He says he's top cat and I believe him, so does my granddad. I spent 5 days at my Gramma and Granddad's. As much fun as it is to be there, I don't follow my normal sleep schedule, so when my mom came to pick me up I was exhausted! I love to play. My Gramma likes to work out in her yard, and I love to be outside...so I helped gramma a lot!! Once I got back to my house, I decided it was time to rest and recouperate. Mom went to work for a bit and I took advantage of the peace and quiet.



I typically like going out to run with my running friends, but Monday I was still recovering so I didn't go. Once Tuesday came around I was ready to head out for a walk, so I decided to take my mom for a walk.



It was a nice day on Tuesday, so mom and I hung up our Christmas lights on the house. We were a little bummed that the colors of the lights didn't match, even though the packages looked exactly the same. I loved hanging out in the front yard, barking at squirrels and people walking by. I don't get to hang out in the front yard very often, mom says something about cars driving too fast. It didn't take as long to get the lights up as either one of us expected. I guess having done it last year, mom had a plan.



Mom went to work for part of Wednesday, I took advantage of that and slept and slept and slept. A dog's life can be quite hectic ya know...

Thursday morning...Thanksgiving...so excited I got to go to Gramma's for turkey. Mom said first we were gonna go walk/run at the Von Franken Food Run. All the people were saying it's cold, but I thought the weather was perfect.



I really wanted to run fast, but mom said she was walking because her body hurts. I don't get it, but I was happy to be out. There were lots of other dogs there. At first, I was a bit nervous but once we started moving with the group I just enjoyed the wind in my face. Mom and I only did 3 miles, but had a great time.



After our walk, mom and I went to Gramma and Granddad's for Thanksgiving. I had fun playing with Gramma and licking Granddad and hanging with my aunts and uncles. The turkey was super yummy. Then mom took me to visit my Great Granny. She lives in a place with a lot of other people. Mom said because I passed the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test it was okay for me to be around all those people. Mommy, Gramma,and Granddad were so proud of how well I behaved. I sat on my Great Granny's lap for a long time. She hugged me and petted on me...we had good bonding time. Great Granny is cool.



Here's 4 generations of my family: Me, my mom, my granddad, and my great granny.



Here's me and my great granny.

I thought I would include the Christmas portraits my mom had made too. I kinda liked being a star..

I'm A Novice I Graduate!!

Well today was "final exam" day. At least that's what mom said. She said something about how if I couldn't pass the test this time, then I wouldn't get to go to dog school anymore. Have I mentioned how much I love dog school! I had to spend all weekend sitting and staying in random places. I thought my mom had lost her marbles, but it paid off today as I looked and felt quite confident in both the sit and down positions. We got to school, and you could tell all the two-leggeds were nervous. They were all chattery and walking in circles and all that. All of us four-leggeds were just trying to figure out why they were all freaked out. It was entertaining. Mr. Jerry had us all go into the ring and walked through what the test was going to be: I bet my mom doesn't tell her class the test questions before the test. Then I got to go first. Nothing like first up...time to set the bar high. Of course I am a seasoned pro at taking this Novice I test, as this was my third time. I did great at the heeling pattern. Seriously, I stuck close to mom's side and went extra slow on the slow part: which is hard for a dog. I made sure to give a wink of the eye to the judge as we did the fast part while heading towards the judges table. The only thing that I did where I lost focus was my "finish" after my mom told me to come from across the room. There was a dog that was interesting to look at in the other ring, and well I did...I broke focus. Oh well...it was only one exercise and I did do the finish kinda. Then it was out of the ring we went and onto get ready for the stays. Mom stopped by a table and picked up some sort of two-legged treat (they were saying peppermint, but I don't know what that means). We then walked around a practice ring and mom had me do a couple of short stays. Then, I watched some of my four-legged friends go through their heeling exercises. Everyone was doing great. We have to be the best Novice I class of dogs at TDTC. Then it came for the stays...I was cool...tongue hanging out, sideways head turn as we walk by the judges to butter them up a little. Around the ring we went and then in a line. I was ready. To make my mom a little nervous, I decided to just lift up my right front paw just a little...once she got across the ring I put it down and laughed a little on the inside. That 1-minute sit-stay went by really fast. I saw Mr. Jerry give my mom a thumbs up when it was over, so I thought I would just sweeten the pot. I knew that since I had passed the sit/stay I would pass Novice I which meant my mom would give me cheese, which is my all time favorite thing! So onto the down stay. At first I didn't really want to be in the sit position and I thought about not doing it, but I thought wow...what will I get if I do both stays on the same test...so 3-minutes down/stay here I come. It was great. Although there was some entertainment in the ring across the way and all of us dogs were watching. It was like being at home and watching "It's Me or the Dog" on Animal Planet. When the time was up, I thought my mom was gonna cry. It was so cool to see. I did the best I possibly could and wound up tying for "High" score in the class with a 95 out of 100. As a reward my mom says I get to go out with the run group tonight to brag and maybe can pick out a new toy from dog.com. I am so happy to be out of that Novice I class. Mom signed me up for Novice II with Mr. Jerry again, but it doesn't start until January. Can you say Winter Break!!!???

See some of my pictures below

The best part about riding in the car is getting to hang your head out the window...




This is my friend Winston and his mom. We stuck together a lot, as we were the only two dogs in class under 50 pounds. Us little dogs gotta stick together.




While some of my friends were going through their evaluation my mom made me practice a sit/stay in another ring. I thought okay why not?



Some of my school friends, Thor (black New Foundland) and Winston (Spaniel) decided that we would practice our heeling together before the evaluations started. I love these 2 guys. We have been buds since the first day of class. I am hoping that they will be in my Novice II class with me too.



I got to do my sit/stay and down/stay next to Sing...she's a pretty cool boxer. She likes to play tricks on her mom sometimes too and pretend like she doesn't know what to do while at school. We get along pretty well.



I had to get a photo with my favorite teacher, Mister Jerry. Without his help, my mom wouldn't have known tricks to teach me!!