Adventures of Gus the Borkie

Stationery Card

2012-01-17T19:01:00.001-05:00

Whoo Loves You Valentine's Card

Check out our modern shower invitations by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Pogo Gus

2009-11-10T21:08:00.002-05:00

GO Richmond FLYING SQUIRRELS!

2009-10-16T14:03:00.003-04:00

Richmond has finally named the new baseball team: The Richmond FLYING SQUIRRELS! I could not be more happier. Squirrels are my favorite animal and I have game gear already.

Let's GO NUTS!

To read about the new team name:

Greenie

2009-10-04T09:15:00.001-04:00

I could not find a safe place to hide my new greenie. The kitty steals everything I love and I'm NOT letting her have this! The hoomans are not helping by videotaping me hiding the greenie either!

We Moved!

2009-10-04T09:05:00.004-04:00

We moved to Short Pump! Its only a two minute drive from Momma and Poppa Dee's house (my favorite place in the entire world!!!!) Our new house is so much bigger and I get to go outside on the porch WITHOUT a leash.

We also packed up Daizy Bean and moved her too.

What should I be for Halloween?!

2009-09-19T16:56:00.009-04:00

Cow? I call my best friend "Moo Cow"
Frog? Cuz its cool.
Chicken? My grandma calls me Chicken Little because I'm afraid of everything.

Please vote on the poll on the side. If you are visiting this post from facebook... go to: My Awesome Blog to vote.

Dog Park Romping

2009-09-19T16:43:00.004-04:00

Daisy the Hound Dog and Gus romping in the Madison at Spring Oak dog park.

Sorry the video quality sucks... Erin used her cell phone. (stalker)

Snuggie for Dogs

2009-09-14T20:49:00.001-04:00

I totally need one.

Live your life like a dog.

2009-09-14T20:07:00.003-04:00

From an e-mail:

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

So live like a dog.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal. Be forgiving.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried deep, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and cuddle them gently.
Enjoy every moment of every day.

Hanging out with Daisy the Hound Dog

2009-09-12T22:48:00.004-04:00

She dragged me across the floor by my face.
She tried to intimidate me.
BUT I fought back.
AND I won in the end because I can humiliate her on the interwebs. MUWHAHAHHAHAH

Mmmmm grass

2009-08-09T22:50:00.001-04:00

I've decided to give up dog food for grass. I've been collecting grass on my walks outside and spitting it all around the house so Steve and Erin know that I want to become vegetarian.

You would think they would get the hint:

Happy Birthday to ME!

2009-08-09T22:30:00.003-04:00

I turned 1 years old yesterday!!! (well 7 in dog years) Erin and Steve took me to Three Dog Bakery at Stony Point Mall and let me pick out a toy and some treats. Then Erin bought me a swanky new collar (which I'm not too fond of.... I chewed the last one up for a reason). Here's some photos from my special day:

The BEST part of my birthday: I had a sleep over at Momma and Poppa Dee's house with my best friend Moo Cow. I wish my birthday was everyday!

BTW:
I would not get the Biscotti from Three Dog Bakery. My tummy does NOT agree with cinnamon. I'm gonna stick to my Dingo bones.

Vote for me!

2009-08-05T12:34:00.001-04:00

The Critter Cottage Fashion Show

2009-07-24T10:39:00.005-04:00

We had a bar-b-que, refreshments, adult beverages for the hoomans. Jerky, treats and water for us four-leggers. We met many new friends and then had our fashion show. Here's a few pictures.... good times were had by all.

Meet my NEW cousin.... Daisy the Hound Dog!

2009-07-22T07:41:00.006-04:00

This beautiful, little lady is Daisy the Hound Dog! AND I already LOVE her! My Aunt Ginny and soon-to-be Uncle Nick just adopted her from the SPCA. I can't wait til she's big enough to romp with like Moo Cow... she's almost as big as me at only 2 months old.

Her name will be SOOOO easy to remember because my sister is Daizy with a Z... my family needs to get a little more creative with names. Looks like we are starting another name trend... my dad, grandpa, and uncle are all named Steve.

I think I might name every I know Gus. This is my ball, his name is Gus. This is my tomato plant, his name is Gus. Oh my food dish is also Gus. And my mom calls any furniture chewed up "Damnit Gus!"

Fleecy Clean Knot Toys

2009-07-20T16:13:00.004-04:00

Best invention.... EVER! I could play with this toy for hours and hours....

You can purchase them at: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3207146

My birthday is 8/8/2009.... wink, wink.

Rivah Dog

2009-07-20T15:58:00.005-04:00

The past few weeks I have been swimming in the James River at Huguenot Flat Water, Pony Pasture, and James River Park. There's nothing like taking a hike on a warm day and cooling off with a little swim.... even if I make Steve and Erin get in the river with their clothes on because they are afraid I'll be sucked up by the current. Just call me GUS THE RIVAH DOG!

If you would like to check out my swimming holes...

Huguenot Flat Water: http://www.discoverrichmond.com/dis/sports/recreation/james_river/article/huguenot_flatwater/1458/

Pony Pasture (no ponies or pastures.... tricky, tricky name):
http://www.discoverrichmond.com/dis/sports/recreation/james_river/article/pony_pasture_rapids/1461/

Jealousy

2009-07-16T18:53:00.008-04:00

If you read my blog you might have noticed that I have been slacking at updating on a frequent basis lately. Daizy is a jealous, no good kitty that has held my 'puter hostage for the last couple of weeks.

I have since taken care of this "issue" by locking the kitty up in the closet. Thank you Steve and E for getting the new storage unit, I can use the freed up closet space to hide bad kitties.

Super Model

2009-07-16T18:46:00.006-04:00

I have been scouted to be a model!!! I will be in the Critter Cottage's doggy fashion show next Thursday. Erin bought me these sweet new threads to wear.... who's excited?! This kid.

I am learned!!!

2009-06-29T20:47:00.006-04:00

I graduated my obedience class at The Critter Cottage today! I have learned to sit, down, stay, come, roll over, shake, wait, and how to walk on a leash. What my humans don't know is that I've known how to do this all along... I speak human.... DUH... I only do it at the class because they mix my food with hotdogs, starve me for days, and threaten corporal punishment if I don't pass.

Me and Casanova (yes that is his name and he takes offense to nicknames) graduated top of our class BUT he may be number one if wearing crazy pants makes you smarter. I am glad my mom and dad did not dress me like this:
Casanova and I with the food lady... wait, I mean teacher:

GRADUATION DANCE:

TP is a powerful drug...

2009-06-03T16:02:00.004-04:00

I couldn't stop myself... yet again. Daizy just feeds my addiction. One of the hoomans left the toilet paper with reach again and Daizy threw it onto the floor. Next thing I know the toilet paper is in tiny little bits and I've inhaled way too much. Erin took some photos to shame me.... its not a joke, its a problem.

It's HOT outside!

2009-06-03T15:49:00.002-04:00

Do you know what the temperature is outside?! And the humidity?! Today was 93 degrees and it felt like 98 degrees. My hoomans think its still fun to walk around the apartment complex and play outside… I now know that they are CRAZY!!! Can’t they see I’m black and I’m wearing a fur coat? Sure they cut off a lot of my hair… but I STILL have hair. Someone please tell Erin and Steve that I want to stay indoors. I’ll even give up the dogpark for a bit… Momma and Poppa Dee’s house has dogs AND a/c.

Until the nice weather returns, I’ll be at my water bowl, enjoying the a/c and the cool water.

VA Lottery Lucky Dog?

2009-05-19T08:58:00.002-04:00

I have submitted pictures for the VA Lottery Lucky Dog contest! Take a look at the cards I turned in:

How do you get rid of dog hiccups?!

2009-05-14T08:01:00.002-04:00

Any solutions?

I have LEARNED!!!

2009-05-13T20:10:00.001-04:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2009-05-10T11:14:00.004-04:00

I want to wish a happy mother's day to the most wonderful adoptive mom in the WORLD!!! Erin is the greatest mom any dog could ever have.

Barker Field Goodness

2009-05-09T08:40:00.006-04:00

I LOVE Barker Field by Dogwood Dell! I met up with Lanie and Moo Cow and played with all my friends. We played catch, stood on tables (because we can't do that at home), and chased each other until one of use squealed. I've been going about twice a week to get in a good workout.

It's kinda embarrassing but I play in the small dog side... I think the wolves of Barker Field want to eat me. The second I get in the door the pack of wolves sniffs me out and I think they plan together how they will enjoy me as a meal. AND Erin's boss had to get rabies shots after breaking up a fight at the park... Erin hates shots SO I'll remain happy on the small dog side. Below are pictures of my buddy Dominoe the Dachshund and my best friend Moo Cow.

Check out Barker Field: http://friendsofbarkerfield.org

Not a bagillionaire :(

2009-05-02T07:50:00.002-04:00

The VA lottery was up to $225,000,000 and you know I got a lotto ticket. Well apparently I'm not a bagillionaire.... YET

Who's teachin' who?

2009-05-01T21:01:00.003-04:00

Dear Hoomans,

I play your game every day. I "sit." I "watch me." I have become a sitting and watching zombie! I let you feed me treats all day to "learn" these difficult tasks. BUT when I try to teach you hoomans one simple, little trick of putting the toilet paper away....

you never learn... I guess we will be "learning" the hard way?! Mwhahaha

Giules came to visit!

2009-05-01T19:50:00.003-04:00

My little hooman came to visit!!! She's just my size and loves to go outside and play with me. We went to the playground, walked to the dogpark, played hide and seek outside... AND she even crumbled up all her birthday cake and threw it on the floor for me. I love Giules!!!

Schnoodle?!

2009-05-01T19:41:00.003-04:00

I had my first haircut ever last week! I went to the Critter Cottage (www.thecrittercottage.com) and played with tons of new friends and then some lady cut all my hair off. One problem though.... THE HOOMANS HAVE DISCOVERED MY SECRET!!!

I went into the Critter Cottage a porky borkie and came out a skinny schnoodle. Only I will know who my parents are but take a look at these pictures:

**Side note from Erin: If you need to have your dog groomed, definitely go to The Critter Cottage on Staples Mill Rd! Your dog gets to play in doggy daycare all day then get groomed right before you arrive. No trauma of a metal crate for 8 hours.**

Sit!

2009-05-01T19:31:00.005-04:00

I'm in puppy school! Every Monday night for the next 8 weeks I will be at The Critter Cottage learning tricks. So far I have learned "Sit" and "Watch Me".

Here's a link to my school: http://www.thecrittercottage.com

Easter on Parade

2009-05-01T10:26:00.003-04:00

This Easter, the hoomans and I went to Easter on Parade on Monument Avenue. Here's some photos from this adventure... next year I'll plan accordingly and dress up.

Weeeeeee

2009-04-18T08:11:00.002-04:00

Holy Manoli! My humans are crazy! They came home from shopping last night screaming weee, weee, weee. They spent an hour plugging wires and white boxes into the hypnosis machine they stare at every night and told me if I touched anything they were going to kill me and feed me to the kitty.... we'll see how long that lasts.

Well they turned it on and MY HUMAN ALMOST FLOATED AWAY! That box has WAY too much control over him. Luckily I was around to save him....

Make me an LOL!

2009-03-25T11:42:00.004-04:00

I submitted my picture with Molly to ihasahotdog.com to be made into an LOL!

http://mine.icanhascheezburger.com/default.aspx?tiid=1189417#step2

You can make one too!!! Do it......

(I wanna be a star!)

PAPER GNOMES!!!!

2009-03-12T21:07:00.000-04:00

Paper Gnomes are magical. For the past two days, I have been cooped up in the house when the humans went off to work. They take away all the fun stuff (access to the bathroom and bedroom, put the trash up high, close all closet doors) and leave only "my" toys on the ground. Well just when I thought I was going to die of boredom, magical PAPER GNOMES pushed paper under the door to make me happy. I have reenacted what I did with the paper in this video:

I love me some paper gnomes!

*** Note from Erin: Gus' paper gnomes are actually the maintenance men leaving notes to let us know that they will be coming, and have visited our apartment. Thanks to Gus we never received those notes. Don't let Gus know... its fun to watch him stare under the door for hours waiting patiently for paper.***

Slip and Slide

2009-03-12T20:52:00.000-04:00

Why am I posting this embarrassing picture? Well....

Today Daizy and I thought it would be grand to make a slip in slide in the kitchen. We spent all day dumping our half gallon water bowl all over the floor (enough to make a puddle from the fridge to the dishwasher). It was sweet. Daizy was going to let me have the first run through and then BAM... Erin comes barreling in the house. It was only 3... we didn't expect her for at least a couple more hours. She gets all ticked off about the water then calls some man to come look at it. I could have told her we did it, apparently "humans" can only speak the truth.

Erin goes on and on about how the dishwasher is leaking all over the kitchen and wants to know why water was all over her house after he "inspected". (the inspection is another story) She is ticked! After 10 minutes of looking for a leak, the man points to Daizy and I and said that we did it... snitch.

SOOOO Erin put me in the silly hat to embarrass me on the "internet" because she felt embarrassed by my shenanigans.

SNOW!!!!

2009-03-02T08:18:00.000-05:00

Today was my very first snow EVER!!! It was fun when it was two or three inches but this 8-10 inches is crazy.

Checking out all the white stuff:

I found a place without Snow!:

At this point, I had enough of the snow and just wanted to go inside. Giving my sad look to the humans:

Me with snow stuck all over my hair:

Romping with my Moo Cow

2009-03-02T08:08:00.000-05:00

Romping with Moo Cow at Momma and Poppa D's House.

Bath Time= No Fun

2009-02-21T16:01:00.000-05:00

Erin is a meanie head. She keeps insisting that I need a bath at least once a month... and likes to take pictures of the torture.

I think I have a new hero :)

2009-02-17T21:27:00.000-05:00

I will have to get Erin to buy me a frisbee.... until then I will practice with my three-legged monkey. My goal is to be the smallest frisbee dog ever! I will blow people's minds away!

We FOUND Daizy!!!

2009-02-12T22:22:00.000-05:00

The posters worked! Some nice lady in the apartment building next door called my mom's phone and said that good ole Daizy Bean was hanging out in her hallway. Silly Daizy must have gone through the doors and never figured out how to get back out.

WOOHOO We are together again!

My BEST Friend is MISSING

2009-02-11T09:38:00.001-05:00

My best friend in the ENTIRE world went missing last night. She is black with white paws and white lips. She plays with me all day long and puts up with me. Steve and Erin are really sad and I can't stop crying. If you see my friend please call my mom and we'll come get her.

If someone has her and wants to keep her... she's mean, she bites and scratches and she poops on the floor and she's never had a bath.... you'll definitely want to return her.

Saunders-Monticello Trail in Charlottesville: NO DOGS ALLOWED

2009-02-10T21:28:00.000-05:00

Since I'm home recovering from my little trip to the SPCA, I thought I would write about this past weekend....

Steve, Erin and I made the trek out to Charlottesville to go hiking on the Saunders-Monticello Trail. I was REALLY excited to see Thomas Jefferson's home and get out some energy on the 4-mile trail.

We started on the hike... there was so much to see and smell! I saw a lake, a wooden amphitheater, an overlook (shown on the left), and tons of mud and melting snow.

Here's some photos from the adventure:

Although I saw some great sites on my short hike.... the Saunders-Monticello Trail only allows dogs for about a half of a mile of the 2-mile hike (one way). Next time I will check the google for a trail that likes dogs.

If you want more information on the Saunders-Monticello Trail (because you are dogless and you want to hike)... you should visit: http://www.monticello.org/parkway/trail.html

If you choose to go hiking on the trail for a short walk with your dog.... remember to bring something for your dog to sit on in the car for the trip home or they will have to be trapped on the floor because they are covered in mud...no fun:

Note to self: Don't fall asleep at the Richmond SPCA

2009-02-10T19:42:00.000-05:00

I went to the Richmond SPCA today... what an adventure?! or NOT!

Today started off as a regular day. Steve and Erin got ready for work, I went for my usual walk around the courtyard, and Daizy and I ran around the house. I should have known today wasn't normal when Erin started loading the car with my bed and she didn't give me any food.

She packed me up in the bug (by the way I have my convertible wings now thanks to the glorious weather this weekend... ow ow ) and drove away. I thought maybe I would get another day hanging out with those crazy guys she works with... boy was I WRONG. After driving for what seemed like forever, we stopped at this place called the SPCA. It looks like the greatest place on earth for dogs but looks can be deceiving. I walked up in that place and met tons of other dogs in the "waiting room." Waiting for what?! Erin told me she had to go to work and she's so sorry... Sorry for what?! Then she passed me over to this guy and told him to take care of me. Why is she leaving me?! I went into this metal crate and started to get very sleepy. I tried to fight it, I really did. I'm never sleepy in the mornings, maybe I had a long night..... then BAM!

I woke up feeling like crap! I looked down at my belly and it looked like it was shaved and cut open and glued back together again with some purple glue by a kindergartner. Then I looked lower and noticed something was missing.... MY FREAKING BALLS! Was I abducted by freaking aliens... who really wants my balls?! I'm pretty sure I was the ONLY one that needed them. How in the world am I going to explain this to Erin and Steve?! "Hey guys I know you just left me here to play, but something strange happened today...." yeah right

Now I'm at home with a lamp shade stuck around my head and no balls.... maybe when I wake up in the morning this will all be a horrible nightmare.

Until then I'm going to sit here and cry and hope they grow back before the hoomans notice....

The cat's in the bag...

2009-01-23T22:14:00.000-05:00

I will destroy anything the kitty likes...

I love me some bottle caps.

2009-01-23T18:52:00.000-05:00

I have a bottle cap, I have a bottle cap, hey hey hey hey

Tricky Humans

2009-01-21T17:28:00.000-05:00

Steve and Erin went to work today, which means my day was going to be BORING. When they leave for long periods of time they gate me in the kitchen.... who wants to be trapped in the kitchen all day?!

The humans used to rig the gate by just opening the drawer with all the forks a little bit, until I discovered how to push the drawer back in. Well..... they caught on. I like to call this little jerry-rig, "Shark Attack":

This is what I think of said "Shark Attack:
I ripped the gate off its hinges today!!! Boo-ya! Who's the man?! This guy....

Not only did I destroy the gate, I also got into the food cabinet and ripped the bags to pieces. That will teach the humans to leave me in the kitchen. BUT on a happy note (at least in my humans' eyes), I didn't pee on the floor. I waited til those crazy kids got home and went outside so I could get my delicious liver treats.

NOTE TO SELF: Eating the cat food bag turns my poo the color of this background.... ewww

Future PETA Spokesman

2009-01-18T20:30:00.001-05:00

So this tiny human showed up to my house wearing a dead animal. I don't think she could see it so I tried to rip it off her back... failed.

I hope she doesn't wear me as a coat.

WWE Gus & Daizy Style

2009-01-16T19:41:00.000-05:00

I'm thinking we need to have a cage fight next... I'd totally win.

Operation Confetti

2009-01-16T18:32:00.000-05:00

I think the kitty is trying to get me in trouble.

The humans were away getting Erin's car fixed and they trapped me in the dang kitchen... I thought Fridays=no kitchen time. Well.... I was minding my own business and Daizy decided to hang out with me. We were planning out our nighty romp path through the house and Daizy said it would be a GREAT idea to play with a paper towel roll instead. She knocked the roll to the ground and told me take a little bite. Bad idea.

I couldn't control myself I ripped through the entire roll in a matter of seconds... I think I BLACKED OUT. Tearing through that roll was better than a DINGO rawhide any day.

Well the humans came home a couple minutes later and OF COURSE Daizy jumps the gate and pretends to sleep by the door, meanwhile I'm stuck right next to the mess. The only thing I can think to do is cry like a little girl... Erin bought it, she laughed at how pathetic I was and took pictures of the mess. Gotta love her.

Here's the photos of the Great Paper Towel Shred 2009 (I'm hoping to make this an annual event, if not daily):

Camouflage

2008-12-28T18:30:00.000-05:00

This photo was taken in Aunt Faye's NASCAR bar room.... can you see me?

Swimmin Lessons

2008-12-27T22:10:00.001-05:00

Yesterday started off pretty good. I noticed Erin was getting ready to leave and Steve was still in Florida so I thought I was going to be spending some time in the cage. Instead Erin drove me over to Momma and Poppa D's house (closest thing to dog heaven). She left to go to work and I had a chance to hang out with Moo Cow ALL DAY!!!

I love Moo Cow! She is sooo beautiful and lets me romp, unlike good ole Daizy Bean. We ran everywhere! Here's a photo of us (I'm undercover)... and Lanie (the dog whisperer).

Back to swimming lessons...

So I'm running around with Moo Cow and some how we were in the back yard. Next thing I know, I'm in a giant water bowl!!! I can't touch the bottom and I have to learn how to swim fast. I started screaming but Momma and Poppa D keep the TV volume up too loud. I was able to find solid ground and climbed up the deck. They found me on the back porch... I didn't want to go inside because I know if I'm all wet, there's going to be a hair dryer in my near future.

Bath then hair dry... I'm back to normal and now can call myself a real life swimmer dog.

Daizy

2008-12-27T21:40:00.000-05:00

My best friend Daizy Bean and I.... gosh I love her. She plays with me none stop.

OK maybe she is not my best friend... she is taunting me in this photo when I was locked in my cage over night. Thank goodness the humans stopped this business.

The Beginning :)

2008-12-27T21:01:00.000-05:00

On November 20th, 2008, Steve and Erin (the greatest hoomans EVER!!) walked into my life. It was meal time at Pauley's Pups and I had to fight the damn poodle in my cage for some food. I'm in the middle of a fight and BAM it was like angels singing, Steve and Erin walked in the door. I watched Erin tell the food lady that she wanted to see jack russells and miniature schnauzers (stupid choices) so the food lady took Erin over to the jack russell cage. Thank goodness the tank contained the worst behaved jacks on the planet... well maybe in Ashland. They squirmed and would not let either Steve or Erin hold them. I could see the disgust all over Erin's face. Erin put the little dogs back in their cage and asked the lady if she had any mini schnauzers... nope... YAY time for my chance. I bit the poodle as hard as I could causing all the other puppies to start barking. My plan worked Erin and Steve wanted to see me because I looked kinda like a mini schnauzer. I waited for them to change gloves and aprons.... no cooties for me thank you.... and they walked over to my cage. Erin was the first to hold me. I snuggled on up to this wonderful hooman. Erin then handed me over to Steve... he's a softie, my cuteness factor won him over in an instant. They then put me back in the cage to "talk over it."

Within 5 minutes, I'm in a freaking bath and getting blown dry to go home with Steve and Erin. Greatest day of my life!