My mom always says she tries to copy my attitude. I am totally relaxed.

Wherever I go, thats where I am, whomever I am with, thats who to lick and cuddle. There is no sense getting stressed about things like car rides, baths or the vet…I pretty much just enjoy being me and whatever comes my way, I think its an opportunity to make new friends and play!

Plus, there’s always something new and fun to do!

New places and people to sniff, new places to mark my territory…and really, when I am at a loss for how to occupy myself, I just lick my nether regions for a while and then take a nap.

You humans could really take a cue from me. I believe smiling and tail wagging is the best policy - at all times.

My sister, Ella Bean doesn’t like change. She prefers a schedule - otherwise she gets all nervous and shaky. I always tell her to just chill…theres always more food, treats and people to love.

She claims this to be untrue and she comes from a doggie jail where there wasn’t good eats or lots of lovin’. I tell her, relax! That’s the past! Live in the moment and don’t waste a second enjoying all the great things that have come your way! If your busy shaking in the corner, you just might miss a really good treat.

Slobbers,

LR

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I am the beastliest dog in the world. I have conquered one of the greatest feats in all of dogkind…my first successful hunt. Now, don’t think I am a sissy, being all of 17 months and having never before succeeded in a kill.

Its not as easy as it looks. You have to stalk the prey, get a good visual sight on all of its exit strategies and make sure your mom doesn’t yank you away from the goods before you can act.

Well, tonight all my practice paid off. I stalked a frog, snuck up from behind him and pounced. I had its squishy sliminess clenched in my jaws when my stupid mom let out a sissy girl scream. I looked up at her, prey still in my mouth, wagging my tail. I was totally willing to share! I mean come on, this was a big occassion! I could not understand why she would be yelling, “No, NO!” at me as if I had done something wrong…anyway, she pulled out one of my favorite treats from her bag and I totally forgot I had my kill in my mouth and dropped it to get what Mom was holding.

Then, she pulled me away from the scene of the kill and told me to be quiet as we snuck away. I guess she thought we would all be in trouble, but I just wanted to eat that creature, he looked so good, like he had been marinated in a shiny, juicy feasting sauce!

Oh well, now that I know I have experience in this realm, I plan to move on to my next challenge - the elusive chipmunk…or maybe a squirrel? No, definitely a rabbit! Well, I will be dreaming about what’s next tonight for sure!

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So, when I woke this morning I wasn’t thinking today would be anything special. Breakfast was some lame yogurt and fruit which is OK, but its definitely not as good as meaty goodness. Then - out of nowhere my hoomans loaded Ella Bean and I into the thing with wheels and loud music and we hit the road.

The lull of the hip-hop and the hum of the road put Ella and I both to sleep and when we woke up, we were DOWNTOWN!! I used to work at a super awesome store called Dog Bar and thats exactly where we were. I knew it the second the door opened. There was so much meaty goodness in one store…I can’t remember why I stopped working there…Oh, right, to pursue my dream of being a writer. I pulled my Mom and Ella all the way to the store, only stopping briefly to sniff a fellow Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s bum.

Once inside my old place of business, the smells were overwhelmingly awesome. Meaty tendons for chewing, bones of all shapes and sizes, cookies and a whole freezer full of RAW MEAT!!! I started howling my dining requests to my Dad who was poking through the freezer and I was a little bummed that he only took one bag instead of the 9 I requested, but hey, it was all good when the friendly sales girl let me give her kisses, a good ear scratch and then gave me and Ella Bean cookies and treats. Ella Bean and I got to take home some chewy meaty sticks and some cookies and Ella Bean got something called Harness.

My hoomans were really worried ’cause Ella Bean has started pulling on her leash and making little coughing noises (sissy!!). So, I guess Harness is supposed to fix that. It looks like she is wearing a super-complicated  outfit of ropes and her leash attaches to her back now instead of her neck. I am never going to pull again because I don’t want to have to wear Harness!

Then, after all that excitement, we walked up and down Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road where there were tons of other dogs and hoomans who all gave us tons of attention. By the time we arrived back to the thing with wheels and loud music, we were exhausted. I passed out in Mom’s arms and drooled all over her, like serious drooling action. Ha ha! Mom discovered that I had stepped in some gooey stuff that had attached to my front paw, but it was all good. I was going to save that snack for later!

When we got home, Dad cut the goop out of my paw fur (any fur removal should seriously be authorized by me. I work hard to grow that and hoomans just cut thoughtlessly cut it!) Then, Ella and I got to work on our sticks. I tried to steal hers but she dragged it under the big bed where I can’t reach. Bitch.

Anyway, gotta get back to chewing, these sticks won’t take care of themselves!

One more thing: A Very Meaty Birthday to Shalom, who makes it possible for me and Ella Bean to get our blog on. Shalom, you can have one of my meat sticks to celebrate.

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Umm…I think the laws of nature have gone topsy-turvy.

At a nearby dog park, I had a strange experience. A few days ago, I was minding my own business, marking my territory, when I was disturbed by a squawking bird. Thinking this was just a confused little airpuff, I let out some super beastly barks to let him know that he’d be lunch if he kept hassling me.

Today, the exact same bird was still by the park. Still squawking. This time, the little air rodent kept flying at me, calmly stalking me before descending and flying around my head, over and over. Totally undignified behavior for a bird, if you ask me! I decided he was done for. I am taking the air rodent out.

I got into hunting mode and stalked the little squawker. The difficulty is every time I got close to nabbing him, the pipsqueak flew off. I can jump like Michael Jordan on speed, but this bag of birdseed kept rebuffing my Spaniel skills! Its in my blood! My ancestors have hunted birds for centuries! Why can’t I nab this one foul excuse for a bird?

I thought about it long and hard. I eat pheasant…but it comes in a nugget shape…how do I get the bird to go from squawking to a feastable nugget? I must continue to ponder this and will not rest until justice is served!

A note from the editor: Cup of Dog managed to score an exclusive interview with the bird that hunted Louis, in attempt to find out the true story behind his actions.

The bird, named Henry, claimed his “grandpappy had been murdered by a Spaniel, ruining the family’s source of income and breaking his grandma’s heart.” Henry is seeking revenge.

Cup of Dog has no word on if the Henry plans to continue his attempts at retribution.

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Exactly one year ago, Louis Reginald, the instigator for Cup of Dog, was born. He looked more like a little hamster then a puppy. Ryan, my husband and I were in love with this little nugget of a puppy.

Less then two weeks later, Ryan and I had placed a deposit and eagerly awaited his weaning. At 13 weeks old, he came to live with us.

After weeks of anticipation and preparation, we were still completely unprepared for what was in store for us. The enormity of the responsibility was all of a sudden overwhelming to us both. It seems like just yesterday Louis’ dad and I were standing outside of our Lakeshore Drive apartment in chilly Chicago, pleading with Louis to ‘go’ on the grass, rather then in the apartment, at 3 o’clock in the morning.

Since, we have learned we cannot reason with him (he is a dog, after all) instead, we worked on his obedience and house training and slowly, he began to get it. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not easy to housebreak!

At one year old, he is a small for a Cavalier, weighing in at 12 lanky pounds of pure love. His adult long coat has yet to come in and he looks a lot younger then his age. He came to us with a tail equal in length to his body, which we thought he would grow into. He hasn’t, the tail grew along with the dog. People stop us on walks all the time to comment on his extra long tail. I think he is perfect. It’s possible he will keep growing and fill in, but it doesn’t matter.

At one year, he has matured into a beautiful dog, a patient older brother to Ella Bean, and a best friend. Looking back at his early puppy-hood, I could not imagine that he would be the dog he has become. He has won the hearts of his whole family, even those who aren’t dog people.

Louis has taught me all about canine nutrition, homeopathy, naturopathy and he has opened my world to alternative modalities to achieve wellness.

He is also the world’s best cuddler and he can regularly be found snoozing up against Ella Bean, me or Ryan.

In honor of his birthday, I have prepared a special meal of raw venison parts, beef tripe and other goodies. Ella Bean will surely partake in the festive meal!

Louis has changed my life in infinite ways, as many dogs do with their people. The responsibility I feel toward him is colossal. I take great pride in caring for both my dogs. Louis makes me smile all the time (not the easiest of feats), comforts me when I’m in pain and challenges me to be stronger and more confident.

I know that everyone believes that their own dog is the best ever, but I can confidently say that Louis embodies the spirit in the saying that ‘dogs are man’s best friend.’

Above all, Louis has taught me about being connected to another living being. He follows me from room to room, we do almost everything together.

Cup of Dog wishes Louis the best birthday ever and I promise that year two will be bigger and better then before!

Louis at one year.

Birthday Cake pictured above made by Haute Diggity Dog and available for purchase at www.hautediggitydog.com.

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