New Tricks

Hello again...

(I'd like to thank Valerie for this headshot photo of me.

And for this picture of me as an "Ivy Leaguer" businessman.)

For today's PAWS moment I would like you to ponder the expression:

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

I disagree! 

For example:

When Mom got a bunch of 50th birthday gifts and cards filled with confetti  

it didn't take me that long to figure out confetti doesn't taste good!

And when Mom took me to the Dog Park I knew NOT 

to get in the two swimming pools when we first got there...

...but to go on a walk in the meadows and enjoy the views!

And I understood that I wasn't allowed in the 

pond area because it's too dangerous for me.

And I knew not to run too far away 

and to come back if Mom shook the treats bag.

And I knew to walk a little slower when we got to the stairs 

cuz they are hard on Mom's bad knee.

And look at the reward I earned for learning all these new tricks!

A refreshing cool pool dip after a hot (dog) walk!

However, when Mom bought this suitcase the other day I didn't like it one bit!

Still, I have learned how to let others go live their lives 

(without chewing on the furniture).

So, I guess I will just gnaw on my "pacifier" toy a lot when 

Mom is working at her new part time job 

and when she goes in India next month.

(But I don't have to be happy about it!)

Take some time to PAWS and think about 

any new tricks you have learned as you have gotten older.

~ Magnus Pym

New Digs

Magnus has left the building...

...and entered a new one!

My humans moved! 

(And since they took the couch with them I decided to join them.)

Mind you, the lawn is currently mud and grass seed 

so it's hard to get any business done without getting in trouble.  

But since I had a staph infection on my paw it was a "ruff" few weeks anyway. 

(When Mom asked the vet how I got it she said, "They just get them." 

Really? I hope I don't get anymore!

We now live near an Open Lands area 

so I have some interesting new walking paths to explore.

(Yes, Mom applies tick repellant monthly.)

It took a couple days - but the Internet and cable are hooked up 

 so I can finally get my blog posts written. 

Some of you know my Mom is celebrating her 50th birthday soon. 

Well, Missy, (my doggled friend) has a really nice mama 

who gave my mama some cute greeting cards 

and a fabu key chain that has charms with an English Bulldog theme!

(Now Mom is able to remember my adorableness while driving and writing!)

I hope you all are in digs that have a favorite snuggle spot, 

are able to get your business done without getting in the dog house,

are germ free and healthy,

and are also being treated with generous kindness!

I know after moving three times in nine months 

my humans and I are hoping to actually PAWS 

and enjoy our surroundings!

I hope you are all staying cool in these dog days of summer!

~ Magnus Pym

The Joys of Cleaning House

My human mom thought English Bulldogs didn't shed. (Whew, I am glad that information was communicated poorly so that I was adopted regardless of my salt shaker like daily existence. As you all know the couch is my domain and since it is brown the surface often looks like a sea salt sprinkled milk chocolate bar.)

When I was younger I used to bark at and attack the vacuum. After some scolding and squirts from a bottle labeled Doggie Detente I have pretty much curbed my appetite for the Oreck's plastic hose. (I do still revert at times of weakness or confusion.) Recently Mom decided to literally go to the source of the problem and  simply suck the hairs right off my back. Who knew this would be so enjoyable? Not me! It's like a massage! It's delightful! No one else was home when Mom did this so they didn't believe her when she explained that I allowed her to directly drag the hose onto my skin. When my human dad and siblings came home later and were given a showing of this spa-like experience they were shocked. (There are teeth marks on the vacuum hose so they had a good reason to doubt.) Once the evidence was in, I was videotaped displaying my pleasure at helping Mom "clean house."


Aren't you impressed with my calm demeanor?
(I don't understand why Mom is perturbed by the fact that I trail behind her as she cleans, licking her ankles and trying to get between the head of the hose and the rugs. Since she's cleaning up my hairs I figure, just go to the source! It just feels sooooo good!)

Summer has begun so my "digs" have expanded. 

I now get to go outside onto the deck patio and lounge.  Enjoyable!

Dad has made it very attractive with a jungle garden atmosphere. 

Can you see me?

This is my current "head shot" for publicity purposes. (Mary took it.)

I think I pull off a casual and yet distinguished look, don't you?

I hope your summertime pleasures include some time outside in nature. 

Recently the media has been espousing that one's creativity 

is increased through more connection with the outdoors.  

I don't mean to be disrespectful to the reporters, but, "DUH!"

Why do you think dogs insist on doing their business outside?

So get outside, PAWS, and let your creative juices flow!

~ Magnus Pym

For the record, freedom is a gift.

So Dad came up with this line: "Magnus lives in a gated community." 

For some reason I think that is supposed to represent a fancier lifestyle 

than my baby gate enclosure on the back patio.

At least Mom and Dad keep taking me to the beach 

because otherwise I would for sure start chewing on something!

Dad and I found this big honkin' machine on the beach the other day. 

Mom says she has a girlfriend who drives one of these! (Very cool.)

It made Mom think of the "Road Construction Ahead" video 

she used to show to my human siblings when they were younger.

Metaphorically this machine also made Mom think of the 

complete overhaul our family has gone through in the last year.

(And yet it's ironic that Mom is right back where she started,

listening to her bubble gum pop star records in her hometown.)

I am happy to report I have been to the dog park some more. 

But Mom goes to lots of places where I can't go 

and then she spends a lot of time on her computer 

sending photos of her adventures 

which makes me pretty jealous.

So I lay down on her computer charger cord so she will pay attention to ME.

I hope during this Memorial Day weekend you have been able 

to PAWS and reflect on where you have been 

and how your freedom to roam is a gift. 

Peace be with you,

Magnus

There's No Place Like Home

Dorothy had it right, "There's no place like home."
But where is home? Is it where you were born? (That's me trying to escape.)

Is home where you lived the longest?

Is home where you live currently?

Or do you hear the word "home" and think of Heaven?

(When my human mommy told her Bible Study leader the title 

of my next blog that's what she thought home was referring to.)

I have decided home is where I am.

(So basically home for me is the couch 

or the "lonely chair"!)

Another enigma I am dealing with after moving is, 

"Who are your friends?" 

Mom and I agree that the Girl Scout song, 

"Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold," rings true.

Mia will always be my BFF and girlfriend!

And Malley will always be my Antrim Park walk talk buddy.

(See the heron in the water?)

But they live in Ohio and I live in Illinois now!

So, I have made some new friends like: 

Max, Maggie and Cody, Baby/Winnie and Wesley, Zander and Missy, Katie and Bowser and others. 

As my mom's mommy says, "You have to bloom where you are planted!"

Last, PAWS and reflect on another classic phrase: 

"Home is where the HEART is!" 

Thanks for listening. 

~ Magnus Pym

I'm on Couch Rest for Spring Break

Textbooks do not make the best pillow, 

but that is all they will be for the next week.

I am actually on "couch rest" 

due to a sports injury. 

(Too much romping.)

March Madness is pretty crazy around here with four Ohio colleges making it into the Sweet 16. It's hard to get any peace and quiet around here. But my human dad is headed back to Ohio for the week and Mom probably won't even turn that black screen on the whole time.

I hope you are able to get some R&R during the next week! Find a warm shaft of sunlight and take a cat nap. 

Oops, I mean a dog snooze.

Especially if you can be at the end of a rainbow!

(It's hard to see - but it's there on my back and forehead!)

And then when you wake up 

be sure and 

strrrrrrrrrrretch out really well.

(I can downward dog well, huh?)

I do hope to get the "spring" back in my step soon but for now I will just take it easy!

Namaste,
~ Magnus Pym