Bob In Love
Her name is Holly. I love her.
You know about what my Mom and my Sister do which is called dog-walking/pet sitting and also that sometimes we do what is called Bed & Biscuit. Bed & Biscuit is when your doggie(s) come to stay in the home of one of our sitters (like my Mom). Sometimes it is just for a little while and that is called Doggie Day Care, but sometimes it is for days at a time and that is the Bed & Biscuit part. My Mom explained to me that 2-legs sometimes go to places called Bed & Breakfast, which is like going to spend time in your grannies house, or something. Anyway.
SO back to my story.
Holly is a little dog called a Schipperke. Really. My Mom says that the way you make that sound with your mouth is to call her a Skipper Key. That's better, I think. I call her wonderful.
Because I wanted to know everything about Holly's life (isn't that what happens when you are falling into love?) I asked My Mom to ask HER mouse to find out about Holly and then tell me what they said. That way I knew that I wouldn't hear bad things that might just be rumors (isn't that also what happens when you are falling into love?)
So my Mom told me all about the history of Holly and how she got to be a SkipperKey.
"The Schipperke was bred in Flanders by a canal boat captain named Renssens. Thought to be descended from the same sheep-herding stock as the black Belgian Sheepdog, the Schipperke was bred smaller and smaller and eventually became a different breed entirely. It became a favorite choice to guard canal barges in Belgium. The breed was used for herding livestock, hunting game, or simply guarding his domain. In Flemish Schipperke means "Little Skipper", or "Little Captain". This being so, because the dogs were the "ratters", a very important function on a canal barge, and also usually the captain's dog. Hence, the name of the little skipper. The breed became very popular in Belgian households by the late 1800's. It first appeared at a dog show in 1880. From that point on it was exported throughout the world. Today he serves primarily as a companion dog. The Schipperke does very well on boats and people often get this breed to come along with them on boating and fishing trips. It makes a great guard dog when the boat anchors for the night, alerting of anything out of the ordinary and the dog thoroughly enjoys its trip."
Isn't it amazing how you can find out everything on the Internet now? I am becoming such a smart reporting person. I think all of this stuff about Holly is so interesting, and do you know what else? Holly's 2-legs have A BOAT. A REAL BOAT. And normally Holly stays on the boat with them and looks out for rats, but this time they wanted to have a "date", so Holly is staying with us. Good for me, isn't it?
Here is a photo of my Holly Girl on her boat: 
So last night Holly and I played and played and played but the only bad thing about her is that she figured out she can run underneath our couch! Yipes. So when she scoots under there, I have to beg her to come back out. All this stuff is making Rusty and Scarlett sick to their stomachs. They said I'm a PitBull for Heavens Sake.....why am I making a fool out of myself over a dog less than half my size. "Do you want to wrestle and play half the night and drive Mom crazy," I asked them. "No way, said Rusty. Our Mom is already half crazy, who are we to tip her over the edge" Scarlett just gave me the look.
When we all went to bed, I wanted Holly to sleep on the bed with us, but she wanted her own space and so Mom put a sweet little bed down for her on the floor against the wall and next to the bed. After I sat there, looking down and making pitiful sounds for over 15 minutes, Mom put the bedspread over my head and told me to calm down. Actually that is NOT what she said, but I can't repeat the real words.
Holly is only staying with us a few days and her parents will pick her up on Monday. What in the world will I do when she leaves me?
Love Struck,
Bob
Hiya Bob!
You are NOT going to believe this, but my Mom grew up with Schipperkes. They are absolutely fearless little dogs who have no problem taking on larger dogs. You don't see many of them around much, anymore. They're also very loving little dogs, too, so I'm not trying to dissuade your obvious infatuation for this beautiful little girl. I'm just worried about what you will do when Holly leaves. Will your heart break? Or, will you be able to rebound quickly and fall in love with another young lady, or old lady? Old ladies can be pretty cool, sometimes. My Mom is an old lady and I love her!
If your Mom is already "half crazy", like my Mom is, then you really do have to be careful around her and not upset the "balance & harmony" that is so fragile around "nut cases" (believe me, I know).
I'll bet it was cute with you looking down from the bed and mooning away for your beloved Holly. I can just see your Mom throwing the bedspread over your head to quiet you down!
Bob, I really loved this post as it was very informative and I really appreciate your honesty, especially since you want to keep your ears. Being a Poodle, I'd be in rough shape without my big floppy ears! Please keep me posted on the Holly saga. I WANT DETAILS!
Woof! Blazer
Hi Blazer
It's seems my new romance is cooling off a little as Holly as started fitting in to our little pack and she and Scarlett have starting gossiping. Do you know what happens to a guy when his sister and his girlfriend start to compare notes?
Besides, it is too much effort being in love on a regular basis. Girls expect way too much attention and I have work to do, frogs to slide on, deer to chase and Blogging too. I'm way too tired to keep this romance thing going strong.
What do you think? Am I wrong?
Licks,
Bob
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Hey Cap'n Bob,
Time to set sail with your new friend Holly.
I didn't know the Schipperke story. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mr. Rick
See, I'm smart. I knew that was you even though you tried to not sign your name. HA!
I think the romance is cooling off and besides I would be terribly afraid to go on a real boat.
I prefer my crate.
But I'm glad I was able to report the background on a dog breed, cause it really is interesting, isn't it? My Mom says we left out the part about ALL the spinning that the SkipperKeys do? It's really amazing. I don't know how Holly keeps from getting seasick.
Love,
Your Friend Bob
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Oh, Bob, she certainly is a beauty! Ben and I are very happy for you on your newfound love. Hopefully your mom and Holly's mom will arrange lots of 'dates' for you!
Ben and Deborah (aka Ben's Mom)
Hi Ben
I guess that I will be seeing a lot of her, because her Mom works for us as a dog walker, and now she and my Mom have cooked up some scheme for Holly to come for day care once in awhile.
In itself, I guess that's o.k., but it didn't take me long to figure out that perhaps being in love was way to much work. Girls are sort of complicated, don't you think?
I'll keep you posted, but my Mom says "the bloom is off of the rose" whatever in the heck that means.
Confused about girls,
Bob
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