Off we go....

I am heading off to Andy's Boarding Place, to be with Uncle Kevin for a brief stay
It's the dog-gone best of the best, the entire pack feels the same way
My parents will have no worries, Uncle Kevin looks after me like no other
His love for me abounds, like Picasso's star-crossed lover

We start with play, can you imagine 28 legs, tangled up in a rugby-like bunch?
Moving lopsidedly from here to there, our only stop will be for lunch
Since we're all friends, we can call a truce and rest
And settle down in one of Uncle Kevin's beds, and create our private nest

Lunch is prepared, and manners we must have in order to eat
So hungry from playing, we devour our food and leave no kibble at our feet
We nap for a bit so we have energy for our afternoon matches
It will be needed four our games that require ability to make circus catches

Now it's on to games with a Frisbee, bubbles and or ball
The coveted prize goes to the crafty and quick, and not the one who is tall
If we get really hot, there is a refreshing pool to relax and cool down
What could be better, this is the dog-gone best boarding in town

It's dinner, then play, and a slumber party for the night
I am sleeping next to Uncle Kevin, nestled on his right

Siblings

It's really great to have a best friend,
The one you roll with, frolic about and sleep next to.
Even better when that one is a part of your family and can always be counted on to steal your warm bed that you just
vacated for a brief second!  And that last piece of kibble that was going to be the most tasty morsel of your dinner
serving.....vanished in record time and certainly without thought.  Or concern!  But oh my it was GOOD! And the smile
that followed, bark!  My sibling knows that the world rotates on opportunity, and it is a fact that I will do all of those
things back without thought.  Or concern.  And my best smile to follow!

While all that is true, there are other qualities that can not be measured or defined.  The warmth provided when we
sleep so close together that no light can be detected between our bodies.  That sometimes that last piece of kibble is
the thing we want to share only with our sibling, and they get the larger half.  That we share the love for our pet parent,
and in equal apply loving kisses and licks.  Together.  When strange and perhaps frightening noises in the night terrify
us, it is only our sibling that assures us all is well and will continue to be well.  Because we are together.

But for now, my milk bone has disappeared and I have temporarily lost sight of my other half.  Somehow I know that
peering around the corner will provide the answer and if I bother to look, I will only catch the encore - that grin that
says "since you weren't looking, I thought I would help myself."  I will count the minutes until I can seek revenge for a
stolen milk bone (that probably wasn't that good), but until then, I love my sibling with my every step, every wag of my
tail, and each paw that I raise.

Play Time

Oh how I love to run, dash about and play
And so dear to me, to snuggle each and every day
And check out the drool, cause I love all food, kibble and meat,
But it's that special time of day, that none of these can beat
My legs and arms flying and flaying in every direction
It's that special time of day, the top of the cake, pure confection
I could do this hours on end, and you would never see me tired
Science says it's genetics, but it's just the way I am wired
It takes many forms and there are rules that are minimal
Other places don't allow it, why that's simply criminal
Perched on my all-fours, I am ready to defend and poised strong
Flip, roll, and tumble, my turn on my back, and my yelp is my song
We start in the kitchen, dash down the hall, bedroom and den
Hidden away now, the approach comes, not knowing the how and the when
We started as two, but little and big ones saw fit that they join in
This is fun at its best, cause we all get a chance to be king and get the win
yes, it is that special time of day, the most favorite of mine
Uncle Kevin's daycare so special, our love of playtime

Holidays

My master quizzed me, with forlorn look and raised eyebrow,
"What is your favorite day, I must know to be ready."
I curled up, got up, stretched, and did my best rendition of a play bow.
Certainly I must be mysterious about this, the longer my master guesses,
the longer he will pet me, lure me with delectable treats, and raise his assessment of just how smart I am!
Yes, I am smart!  How can he not know that EVERYDAY is my favorite day!
Alas, he is awfully smart too and he understands my current act, so he asks
"What is you favorite holiday?"
I now feared that box of milk bones being tucked away in the cupboard....

Let's see, Christmas brings red and green colored treats and toys,
All of the family gathers, mom's and dad's, and their girls and boys.
Easter has eggs, jelly beans, and games that are funny,
But the center of attention is focused on the bunny.
The 4th of July means picnics, complete with barbecue chicken and steak,
But the big booms make me sleep and it's hard to wake.
Thanksgiving is a good one, but I have to wait so long to eat,
Then I always get stuffed, from my head to my feet.
Halloween is cool, bags of candy and good ole "trick or treat.",
But Mr. Smarty says no candy, only kibble and meat.

There are other holidays to behold, and celebrate with my man,
But EVERYDAY is the day, to love as much as I can.
That is the answer, I don't know if my master can understand,
But he hugs and holds me, clasping tightly with his hand.

Too Snoozy!!

It's catch the ball, grab it and bring it back,
Get there before the other dogs, my amigo's, my pack.
No time to decide, a puppy can't be too choosy,
But today I am tired, just too snoozy.

What I would like to do, is curl up in a ball,
Spread out comfortably, on the bed against the wall.
The sun is so warm it beckons me to lay down,
I will be all smiles, no grimace or frown.

Uncle Kevin's beds are all over the Andy's Boarding Place home,
You can sleep with the pack, or sleep all alone.
I chose my spot, and tuck my all-fours away,
I plan to be here, for most of the day.

It's a dog's right to sit, play or lie,
And if I don't get my way, I can always fake a cry.
I spend so much time, playing with the pack,
Gotta have that day, to just kick back.

Any bed will do, after all I am not choosy,
Because today is MY day, and I'm just too snoozy.

Best Friends Forever

One of our great joys at Andy's Boarding Place is watching the formation of "best friends"
between two dogs coming from two distinctly different families, two distinctly different
breeds, and curiously enough, dogs of different sizes.  It is amazing to see these
relationships form, from reasons across the entire spectrum.  Why does a Boxer befriend a
Dachshund?  It warms me to understand that the reason for forming a "best friend"
relationship actually as no reason.  It only is because it is.  The warmth of a friend lying so
close that there could be no warmer place on Earth.  The tag-team playing ball when no
words are spoken.  To sleep together at night and know when you wake up all the
protection you need in the world is right there.  I think to myself, what other reason do we
need?  Each and every day I manage the structure of my dog's life and I know he loves me
for it.  I also know that he provides guidance that only a "best friend" could.