HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

'Woof!'

Hey guys...the family are going away for a couple of days, so no more blog entries until the 5th January.

Yep, us dogs aren't going with them, but we do have a full time babysitter! She's quite cool... Hopefully we can co-erse her to give us extra food(?). Then again, I saw 'Tam's Ma' and 'the Queen' carefully measuring out dog food into packets for us, so that we won't put on weight. Maybe extra food is not to be.

Ma's getting quite panicky about us; she's phoned the Vet (just in case) and there are lists and lists of people to contact if anything happens to us. Maybe she should think about securing a garden service, because we plan to dig up the garden in revenge!!! To add insult to injury, I am not allowed to swim, so Ma has sealed off the pool. Tam and I will just have to run trenches around the house. I've already started digging a big hole close to the entrance and under a shady bush. Its nice and cool there.

Our babysitter is very nice though; she always lets us sleep in her room and always makes sure that we have enough water, so I suppose its not so bad. I do miss Ma though! I just hope there aren't too many fireworks on new year's eve. Toffee is pathetically scared of them and Tammy doesn't do too well either. Generally though, we are put into the kitchen with nice music to listen to, so I suppose we all will be ok.

Take care and see you in the new year.

Max

THE HUMAN PUP

Greetings from the Maxpack to all my human friends!

We had great excitement in our household last night...a human pup arrived to visit (I think you humans call it a 'toddler'). Wow she was cute! We barked our greetings from the side gate. Tam and I were so excited, but 'Ma' and 'Tams's Ma' quickly fetched our leads and called us to command. We were the only ones to be allowed to be introduced to the little blonde dynamo - Toffee and Tommy were immediately relegated to the backyard. (Obviously they can't be trusted! 'Woof!')

We soon discovered that the human pup was scared of us canines. This is v v v very strange since we are such a friendly lot! 'Ma' and 'Tam's Ma' got us to play dead, hoping that the human pup would be reassured and come and pat us. I soooo love children! But it didn't work; she remained scared of us, so we had to join Toffee and Tommy in the backyard.

I could hear the little one running trenches in our passages and was fascinated by her excited giggles. It would have been fun to join her, but we are quite big dogs (for a little one like her), and could easily knock her over, so we decided to simply wait out our time in the back.

The little human pup and her family were here for quite a few hours - sharing stories and Christmas presents. I would have loved to show her all my toys and some of my tricks, but it wasn't to be...perhaps next time!

I'll have to supervise Tammy though; the visitors left quite a few Chocolate presents! Last year Tammy polished off a whole box of 'The Boss's' Geldorf chocolates.... he wasn't impessed! Also - chocolate is bad for dogs.

That's all folks. Here's a picture of me and some of my toys.

Have a Barkingly happy day,

Max

'Woof'

MUFFINS

Mmmmmorning!

Mmmmuffins!

I cuddled up to Ma in bed this morning when the Boss wasn't looking. When he goes to the kitchen to make tea, I take my chances. Ma was in a good mood and allowed me on the bed. I must have done something right, because she then got up to make my favourite.....Mmmmmmuffins! They are my absolute best! I just can't stop my drool though when they are baking in the oven. I sit and stare at the oven door and then get the pack to dance around the island in the kitchen when Ma takes the baking tray out.

Have a great day! Luv Max

FAMILY DAY

Hey Guys,

I went to Ma's side early this morning and said my usual "mmmmaaaaammm!', but she was in dreamland. I couldn't wake her. The boss was around, so I couldn't jump on the bed either. Tammy (my partner in crime - the white one on the left)had been restless for a while and the birds have been squealing for ages. We all needed food! Wow, but Ma was passed out! Pa too. I think these humans battle at this time of the year. They call it Chris...miss. What they miss, I don't know. Wish I could have as much food as them!

We were all lucky though this morning (Tammy and I, that is). Ma and the Boss were oosing the "Walk" word. Their smelly shoes are always the clue! Tam and I darted up and down the passage to make sure that our leads weren't forgotten. Ma and the Boss will have to get new carpets soon!

The girls were asleep, but Tam's Ma got up to join us. She supervised Tam this morning, whilst my Ma tried to keep me under control. Yep, it was good. 4kms this morning. Tam is so contained, though. She walks sooo sedately next to her Ma....I wonder whats wrong with her. Us Goldens are an exciteable bunch. She's maybe letting the pack down.... Will have to talk to her.

I, on the other hand, have to mark all my places, but the walkers don't seem to understand (?). Hey....it was such fun arousing all the other canines in the neighbourhood. They look sooo funny behind their sealed up fences! Especially the fat labradors...they are dragging their bellies on the driveways. Have you ever tried to bark with a belly? Yea...its not comfortable. Shameful owners; no walks and too much food!

Anyway, its boxing day. Where the boxes are, Im not sure, but I'm parking off today. Doesn't seem like Ma has got any plans. Ive been banned from the pool, so I'll just find cool spots to lie near Ma.

Woof!

MAX

MAX

An overwhelming Love I feel,
For this manificent creature at my heel.
Golden coat, tail held free,
Dark, beautiful eyes, all focused on me.

The excitement of his walk, he can hardly contain:
Pawing every step, his leash under strain.
"Free", I say: In a flash he bounds
Gurgling with pleasure, as he makes his rounds.

A sniff here, a 'point' there
A dart to the stream, a backward stare.
His coat is alight with silvery streaks
His stance so expressive, it almost speaks.

In contrast, he hurtles to the darkest of ponds:
Sticky slush and rotting fronds.
And then, he sits in it and stares in glee,
Knowing full well, the fury in me.

A final dip in that filthy lake,
Onto the bank and begins his "shake".
I shudder to think of the bath that must follow
To rid him of the gunge his fur had to swallow.

He stares at me as if nothing was done,
Now it's bathtime, for the smell is not fun.
Apologetically, reluctantly he climbs in the bath
He's so unhappy, I just have to laugh.

I bribe him with treats as I shampoo up his fur
And he answers my pleas with a soapy slurrrr.
Finally rinsed out, he's as good as new,
Running trenches in my passage - the bath was the cue.

As hunger strikes, he's at my side,
Innocence again; nothing to hide.
I fill his bowl as he patiently watches,
The drool from his jowls, just falling in blotches.

The meal is his best, it seems to be
His very existence as he trusts in me.
As the night falls, so does he - at my feet
Our two spirits tied - always to meet.

He'd die for me, and I for him,
His short life; a concept too grim.
My companion, my friend, nothing he lacks.
My beautiful dog................

THAT'S MY MAX!!(CAM)