October 2002 ~ It's getting colder. Al's getting friskier outside. He loves to walk on fallen leaves and can't figure them out yet. He got a "Weird Al" shirt for Holloween and wore it after losing the battle of trying to squirm out of it thanks to velcro! Our neighbor for some reason has had a truck load of big pumpkins in his back yard. Al thinks this is an intruder. He keeps barking at the pumpkins and wants them to go away. As October passes, less walks for Al due to my being sick. He seems to understand and we have decided a short car ride is an equal trade. Last week I took him to the town's petting farm. I introduced him to cows for the first time. One cow was equally interested. They smelled each other's noses and both were very timid. The petting farm is part of our bigger city park and we have a walking path that takes you through a little town of relocated buildings that have history to our city such as the first church built in the early 1800's, the town hall, a real log cabin from our early homesteaders, a real train caboose, school house and various other 1800 buildings that were preserved. In the center of the park is a lake that is stocked for fishing and full of geese. Al likes to chase the geese and they run to the water and swim away. He thinks he can swim so I have to keep him tight to the leash or he'de try to swim after them.
Just a note to those who have asked..... Bulldogs do not swim they sink! If you put them in water make sure it is a few inches deep or they should have a life preserver. You can buy live preservers for dogs at PetSmart.Com or any other pet store and cost around $45-$80.
September 2002 ~ One day we have the air conditioner on and the next we have the furnace on. Welcome to Michigan! Al is very understanding of the English language. If we say things like "Mom's home!" or "Grandma's here!" he will run to the front door. "Wanna go for a walk?" or "Wanna go for a ride in the car?" will send him in the direction of the leash and he can determine what door that means we'll leave from. "Gimme a kiss" will give you a big bully slobber. Other words that will perk him up..... "PetSmart", "Park", "Slide", "Dinner's ready"
August 2002 ~ It's to hot for Al in August. He prefers to take his walk in the late evening when it's cooler out. He continues to love swimming and has learned a new trick! We live by a park with a children's play area. He loves to play with kids and sometimes just is a people watcher. Much to my surprise one day, he walked up the steps of this play scape, ran over the bridge and put himself down the baby slide! This is a regular thing he does now and all self learned. It quickly draws an audience and laughs from strangers.
June 2002 ~ Finally our first diary entry! Al is now one year old and what a year it has been! I got very sick in October 2001 and ended up spending 10 days admitted to the hospital for my Crohns Disease. I was so afraid to come home to my puppy, Al, because at the time he was only 5 months old, just potty trained and I was afraid he would not even remember me. I remember coming home from the hospital and laying on the couch. My mother let Al out of the crate and he walked real slow to the living room. I could hear his chains clanging from his collar. He spotted me on laying down, jumped on me and bully slobbered me to death. That was when I knew he never forgot me, in fact, he missed me as much as I missed him.
Al has been so spoiled. He has graduated from Head Start Puppy School, and has learned how to high five, sit up, roll over, sit, stay and shake hands. He also knows how to open the door to the deck and let himself out. That's not always a good thing! :-) He had the pleasure of walking, eating and playing in Michigan snow and we built him a house made out of snow. Spring is almost past and here we are on our 2nd summer together. Al out grew his baby pool and demanded a big boy pool. Since bullies don't swim, I had to get life preserver for him and he has to be supervised of course! Hopefuly a the summer progresses, we will have more pictues to add to Al's page! Stay tuned for more additions to our website soon!
