There's no place like home for the holidays

Wow!  Big things happening.  There were all kinds of people here and the door was open all day and these guys were coming in with lots of stuff.   And guess what?  I know this stuff!  It's our stuff!  I can SMELL it!  Mom found my bowls, so I don't have to chase my food all over the floor anymore, haha!   And I have my big, big comfy couch back!   I LOVE my couch!  I can lean my head on the sides or I can snuggle in a corner, or I can stretch out, oh boy!  Oh, boy!  

It was pretty fun!  I even went outside by myself a couple of times to check on everyone.  But then I went back inside to make sure my pack was there.  I was "supervising."  I don't know what that means, but it sounds important.

There are lots of boxes everywhere, but we have our furniture back!  So my comfy couch is leaning on a dresser now, and so the bedroom is one of my favorite places!  And we have another room we can use now, with chairs in it.  Mom and Dad seemed pretty happy to be in there and they played music and I have another bed in there, too, and I think we all fell asleep!  

That night that all the people were here, I slept really, really well in my comfy couch.   I even got up late the next day.  We all did.   

So, I guess this is home?  Sure smells like it now!

We have a bit of unpacking to do.(!!)  But each day we make a little headway.  

Harry was a good boy while everything was chaotic, but it is really nice to have some rugs on the floors and actual furniture. Our boy was very happy to see, smell and sleep on his big, cushy couch that has bolsters on three sides.  He slept like a puppy that first night. 

We may not be entirely comfortable for several more months, but we have a "path" into the living room now and can sit in our chairs and listen to the stereo.  The bedroom is done as far as furniture, we just need to find our belongings and put them away.  The dining room is the same, with cabinets that need to be filled.  I just found our dishes and silverware today, along with pots and pans.  

We have no expectations for "holiday" décor this year...that is just not going to happen.  But the worst is over, and for that we are very grateful.  Little by little, it is starting to feel like home. Right, Harry?

Just like me, they long to be close to you

Doot, doot....dooot....oh boy! So many things to smell!  The streets here are made of stones.  And there's lots of little stores with good smelly things.  There is a meat store, and I smell cheese nearby.  And there is a store with just fish! I keep trying to go in there, but my pack won't let me.   Why can't I go in the good smelly fish store?  

Yep, I really like my walks here.  I'm beginning to learn my way around and go where I like to go the best.  And the people like me!  Especially girls.   They stop and give me pets and tell me how handsome I am, but they say "Bello cane!"  I know what that means!  I am learning a new way to say things.  I know "Andiamo"  and "Fuori"...and "Bravo ragazzo!"  But my favorite is "Bello cane" cause that means I am a handsome pup!!

You've got a friend

Oh, boy!!!   I am in a VERY interesting place!  Now that I'm all rested, I feel lots better.  I'm eating again...that makes Mom happy.  The food here is really good, I have tomato and spinach biscuits!  They are yumbers!

And I really, really like taking walks around here.  There's so many things to smell!  And lots of people and other pups.   

And guess what?  I made a friend!  He sort of looks like me a little, but he's a tiny bit smaller than I am.  His name is Hugo, but don't say the "H"....it's like Ugo.  That's because we are in Italy.  I'm always happy now when I see Hugo!  And his person says I am "bello."  That means handsome.  Hugo and I are amici!  

Harry and Hugo saw each other and made eye contact...friends at first sight!  I said they were "come fratelli"...like brothers...they look somewhat alike.  I am so happy that Harry enjoys his walks, he gets so excited when it is time to go outside!  Another big "thank you" to Sally Smith at Airborne Animals for making his trip safe and timely!  Here is Harry on a walk to the city gate.

Sing a song and sail along the silver skies....

Hey!!  When I dream, I dream I am SUPER SPOTTER, flying through the night, helping other pups in need.   But guess what?   I can really fly!  Yes, it's true.  I was FLYING!!!!  I was pretty scared.  I was scared A LOT!  And I  missed my Mom.  But, I'm a good boy and I made it!  I am someplace far, far away from where I was.  Mom is here.  I was with a lady and she was walking with me up these funny stone streets.  And I thought I saw my Mom.  So, I barked, really, really loud.   And it WAS my Mom!!!  Yay!!!  

It's going to take me a while to figure this all out.  But my old bed is here.  And my bowls.  The food is good!  And there are lots of new and strange things to smell outside.  I like that!  

I'm pretty tired now. I guess I will tell you more sometime later.

Harry took an airplane to Italy!  We BOTH want to thank Sally Smith at Airborne Animals and AnnaMaria and Cecilia with Bliss Pets in Italy for taking good care of him and bringing him RIGHT to my door!!!  He's a little jet lagged and bewildered, but he is settling in fine.  The lady upstairs said, "Che bello cane!" (What a handsome dog!)  Yes, he is.  And a bravo ragazzo, too! 
 

You're mine! And we belong together...

Oh, hey!  Over and around the block there is a pup I know.  We've been nodding and rubbing noses the whole summer.  His name is Vader.  He is bigger than me, but he is mostly fur, I think.  He is a very fuzzy dog, and he is all black.   

Sometimes when he is sitting in front of where he lives, he is on a lead, like I used to have in our backyard.  But one time his person was outside with him.  I have noticed that people with pups like to talk.  So my pack started talking and talking.  Vader said "hello" to me, like always, but then he made me just a little bit annoyed.  He sat on my Mom's feet!!  Everyone was laughing, except me.   

Vader's Dad said, "Oh, he likes you and wants to keep you here!"  Hmmmmmm.  I think not.  I think it is time to walk back home.  And I said so!!  Vader did not want to get up, but his Dad told him he had to.  Izz okay.  We are still friends.

Just in time...

When I was a pup, I was afraid of almost everything!  I talk about that in my books.   One of the worst things was the monsters outside, the garbage monsters and the mower monsters.  When they were outside, I would stay INSIDE.  I would NOT go out.  Nope.  No way.

Then we moved here.  And there were still garbage monsters and mower monsters.  But you know what?  They don't bother me anymore!

My pack noticed, too!  When we were walking the other day, I marched right past TWO noisy mower monsters.  Yep, TWO!  And I didn't pay any attention to them.  Mom said, "Wow, look at that!"  And she meant me, look at me!  Then Dad said, "Just in time."  And Mom said "Just in time."  Just in time?  Just in time for what?  What?  What could that mean????

They say it's your birthday...

Hey, it's my birthday!  My OFFICIAL birthday!   Mom says that makes me like the Queen of England.  Haha!  I don't know what that means.   But, anyway, I had all my favorite things today.   I had some peas, and spagetters and chicken broth.  AND I got a special treat - something yummy.  I hope I get more of those soon!    

Today I am six and a half.  So next year I will be a year and a half older.  No, that's not right. Next year I will be a year older by half.  ????  That isn't right either.   My OFFICIAL birthday is too  many places so I can't change it.  BUT I won't be seven until the springtime.  There.  That's right.

I have to get back to my birthday now.  I might be getting more treats!!