Maggie with the muddy nose in the rain

[Stacy]

Maggie here. I would like to take a public opinion poll. See, my mom says I'm really naughty. But I say that cute dogs like me can't possibly be naughty. And my mom isn't really mad either. She says she's exasperated. Whatever that means. It's a big word. 

See, I'm going to let you all in on a little secret. I can tell time. And I know when my mommy has to go to work she leaves at 10. So sometimes when she lets us out around 10 I decide that I'm not coming back in. Because if I don't come inside she can't leave. The problem is that sometimes I don't know what day she's going to work (sometimes I don't think she even knows!) and she tells me that she's not leaving, but I'm not sure if I believe her. 

So today it's raining and I refuse to come in the house. And ha ha, she can't catch me. She's taught me lots of things. One of the games I know that she didn't teach me is keep away. See, I'm faaaasssst. Zooom! And mommy thinks she's all smart coming outside with treats and my leash. She tricked me before, but not anymore! I'm on to her stupid games. I know we're not really going for a ride with my muddy nose and feet. And if I look hard enough the squirrels might still come out to play. Oh! There's one now! 

She says she's going to make me wear the long line in the yard if I don't learn to behave. I tell her I'm behaving just fine. I'm protecting the yard from all the critters, duh. And I'll come in when I'm good and ready. She just has to sit on the back porch with me until I get tired of being wet. 

So what do you think everybody? Aren't I a good good dog? 

Love, Maggie

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My sweet Jackdoodle, while not a girly girl, lol, was exactly the same way about rain & getting wet. Smart dogs, lol! 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

We had a thaw one winter when Luna was a puppy...

Yeah...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This takes me back to my early days with JD, when he would come to the back door after a session of fetch in the wet grass, and I would start going "OMG, OMG, OMG" like a broken record without even realizing I was saying it, lol. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

The worst was that it was the middle of Winter... January or something.  The LAST thing we were expecting was a muddy puppy! lol.

[Stacy]

Maggie says thank you for that picture. It makes her look much better. She wasn't that muddy at least!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Luna's nickname was "bubbles" for a reason.. she liked to blow bubbles in puddles including mud puddles ;)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Dear Maggie and Jasper, I LOVE mud. My favorite is to belly crawl in it.  We live where it is mostly dry so I don't get a chance to practice my belly crawls very often.  One time when I was a puppy we went to a wonderful dog park just after it rained.                                                                                                 I looked like this:

My brother and I like to play in the big water bowls they have at dog parks too:

And my brother gets nice and muddy.  Mom knows if she can wait til we dry it isn't soo bad, but sometimes she hoses us off. And sometimes, we sneak inside and make a huge mess.  Our favorite is to run through the house and jump on their bed and burrow down.  We are going camping in our RV this weekend and it is supposed to rain. We can hardly wait. So much mud in such a tiny space is great fun for us.

Love, Ned

[DonMarie and Picco]

Sounds like you are having fun Maggie, and if you are having fun that can't be bad, right? So that makes you a good good dog!  I love to play chase with mom but when she goes into the house I have to follow her because I as such a big mamma's boy that I have to follow her everywhere.  Keep on having fun!  Your bud, Picco

[Stacy]

I just love all you dirty doodles! (and poodles, but Jasper always looks clean!) Most of Maggie's dirt has fallen off. Luckily for what's left of it, she has a grooming appointment next week and someone else can deal with it! I love her, mud and all. But she really is a little naughty.

[DonMarie and Picco]

I had a hiking buddy who recently passed away. My favorite comment that he made was "If your dog needs a bath after a hike, it was a great hike."

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Sounds like he was a great guy. 

[DonMarie and Picco]

Jerry was a true dog lover!  At 72 yrs old he started a dog hiking group where I met him and many others.  A few became close friends including Jerry and his lady friend.  He had an older, very independent standard poodle, and fell in love with my Picco so much that he went out and got his own doodle!  Too bad he didn't get a chance to watch her grow.