Surprise Doctor's Visits and Elizabethan Collars

Hi!

     You know, when Allison and Rachel took me to the doctor's on Tuesday, I wasn't expecting what happened next. In the car on the way, Allison told me that I was going to have an operation, but not to worry. She said that I would play with the pretty vet techs, fall asleep for awhile, and then wake up when it was time to go home.

     "This is part of growing up, Sam," Allison whispered into my ear, "Just like when I had to have my four wisdom teeth pulled out. You be a brave boy, okay?"

      Teeth pulled out? Ouch! I put my ears back at this, but quickly forgot to be afraid once I padded into the doctor's office. So many other dogs and people to say hi to!

      Next thing I know, I'm waking up still at the doctor's the next morning, and my bum feels a little ouchy. What was that? Strangest of all, when my humans came to take me home they put this stupid cone-shaped collar around my neck! I didn't like that one bit, and I still felt a little woozy, so I lay down the best I could and pouted.

Well how would you feel?

     I made sourpuss faces at Allison - and acted hangdog - until she curled up beside me with a new book. Pawing at my foolish collar, I looked up at her with my saddest eyes. 

     "Okay, my brave boy," Allison said. "I know you don't like it, but that collar you're wearing is called an 'Elizabethan collar.' It's named after a human queen from a long time ago who liked to wear collars like that."

     Arooo? I cocked my head, collar and all. A queen who likes weird cone collars? Humans don't usually wear collars, do they? 

     "Most humans don't wear them anymore," she continued, "but Elizabeth I was an interesting person."

     "Anyway, here's a book that will cheer you up! It's about a puppy who lives with another Queen Elizabeth, Elizabeth II. She's queen in England now, and she's related to the first Elizabeth. Come on! Listen!"

     Even though the book was over a hundred pages long, Allison read it aloud to me and Lizzie right then and there. It's called Titus Rules by Dick King-Smith:

Click me to read an interview with the British author!

Written by the author of Babe (which Allison and I have just started reading) and illustrated by John Eastwood, Titus Rules is a wonderful book for lovers of dogs, of British things, and of great stories of friendship and courage. Titus is the last pup of Queen Elizabeth II's corgi Prissy, and this tale tells all about Titus' adventures and how he becomes the queen's favorite pooch. This royal pup grows up to be a hero! By being brave and listening to both his mama and his own smarts, Titus saves the castle from a fire, averts a flood, and even stops a silly human from stealing the queen's sparkly jewelery! John Eastwood's simple pen and ink drawings throughout the book will give human-pups a better idea of the personalities of Titus and other members of the royal family. Also, grown-up humans will laugh at what Allison calls the "gentle satire" on the British royals. Best for human-pups ages 7-11, I give this book two paws up and a tail wag (all the more impressive when I'm doing so while wearing this heavy royal Elizabethan collar).

* A note from Allison: Although Sam and I adore this book (I spent 5 months in England myself and so love the Britishness of it!), some children may not care for or understand the British references and context. Stay tuned for a review of Babe, which American children may appreicate a degree more (especially since it has been made into a popular film).

And now? I'm off for a snooze. Growing up and acting royal take a lot out of a puppy! Ruff!

Yours in Silly Collars and Brave Deeds,

Sam I Am

 

Smarty Pups and True Friends

Hi!

     As today was another hot day, my humans and I were stuck inside again. But this time Jacob was here, just like every Friday! I had some fun giving kisses and romping around Jacob's trucks and other toys. Later I curled up under the table to listen and watch as Allison and Rachel helped Jacob make pictures with a funny bunch of soft, colored sticks. I tried to eat one once; Allison took it away from me right away.

     "That's a crayon," she scolded. "Not for puppies to eat, silly!"
     
      Wuh-oof? A crayon? It smelled kind of strange, but I saw no reason I shouldn't have a small chomp. I ran my tongue over my front teeth - a bit of crayon flakes was stuck there - and suddenly sneezed.

     Allison tried hard not to smile as she looked up from the crayon. She touched her earring in that worried way she has whenever I've eaten something I'm not supposed to. Then she sighed, let a little laugh out, and explained:

     "Crayons are colored wax sticks - not eat-able - that humans use to draw pictures. So don't eat them! Okay?"

     I woofed my agreement.
     
     Allison smiled, a real smile this time. "You've got a lot to learn puppy, a lot to learn to grow up to be a big smart dog."

I guess I'd better keep reading and learning and adventuring then!

      In hopes that I will learn not to do silly things like eat art supplies and try to destroy the underside of the couch (There was a loose bit of cloth - I couldn't help but tug at it! Ruff!), Allison read me a couple of longer books about a two dogs. Each dog is smart in a special way, although both know the power of friendship and love.

       Cynthia Rylant's Gooseberry Park tells the story of a group of unlikely friends - and the lengths one pup will go to make sure his friends are safe. Life with his human (a kind, mild-mannered professor) is wonderful for Kona the chocolate lab. He has his friend Gwendolyn the hermit crab at home and gets to see his friend Stumpy the squirrel during frequent trips to the park. What a life! Aroo! 

However, Kona is faced with a giant problem when an ice storm puts Stumpy and her squirrel-pups in danger! With the help of Gwendolyn, a comical bat Murray, and his own smarts and bravery, Kona must find a way out of the house and over the ice to save his friends without the professor finding out. This story of stubborn friendship gets two paws up and a tail wag from this pup! Clever, caring Kona and the goofy Murray steal the show and will make human-pups cheer. The group of friends must use all their talents and love to make sure a mama and her pups are safe and together! Recommended for human-pups grades 3-5 - or anyone who loves a good tale of friends. 

In Vivian Vande Velde's Smart Dog, a dog with human-smarts (he can speak human and work a computer!) and a good heart escapes from a science laboratory to avoid having his brain "dissected." I howled in a kind of sympathy for Sherlock when Allison read this part. Why would anyone want to take apart a pup's head?! *Shudder* It's a good thing Sherlock finds a loyal, clever friend in a girl named Amy. What follows is a comical, claw-biting story of mix-ups and plots - which ends happily for both smarty Sherlock (who still has a lot to learn) and Amy (who finally realizes that true friendship is much better than being "popular"). Best for grades 3-6, I give this book two paws up. 

I'm off. I hope Suz and Daddy will forgive me for the couch. Allison is right; I still have a lot to learn! This pup will keep reading...

Your working-on-his-smarts friend,

Sam I Am