On Thanksgiving Day an article on Luckydogs Bakery ran in both the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the San Jose Mercury News..

I want to thank Julie Copeland for making the call to run the article…Thanks Julie!!!

My “Guardian” Ron was tickled to death, thanks for making him happy!

When he is happy, I am happy… if you know what I mean… he is more generous in the food bowl dept. and as far as doling out the treats… need I say more?

Ron went on and on about how cute the picture of me was (what did he expect.. I am so cute I have a business named after me)… that Larissa Mueller was even able to take a nice picture of  HIM… not an easy task.

And he kept saying how wonderful the article that  John Sammon put together was!

I should probably mention a big boost in online sales as well as a few new wholesalers coming on board, phone calls,e-mails, one person even sent a resume!

Now THATS the power of the press! So go on with yo bad self Santa Cruz Sentinel!! .. You Rock!!  Who says no one reads the paper anymore???  Not me thats for sure!

And just for the record.. I was never involved in that whole “newspaper training” thing as a pup.. Sacrilege!.. I always thought… I’l have no part of it..

Why,  Guttenberg would be rolling over in his grave if he knew what was going on with that whole deal… I’ll just pee in the bushes thank you!!

Anyway, thanks again to everyone involved in making the “Thanksgiving Day Miracle” happen.. and a big bark out to all the fine people that responded to the article!!  You made Ron’s week!

As for me… I gained 5 pounds.

Oh what the hell.. Christmas is right around the corner.. I consider it a jump start on the 10 or so extra “pooch pounds” I put on around the holidays…

Lucky

Can we go to the dog park after this?

Today Ron and I spent the day delivering my treats to some of his fine retailers.

And although I know it is necessary for the continuation of the business; I still have a hard time letting go of each and every morsel of goodness.I have to turn my head and cover my eyes while the dirty deed is done; I just can’t watch….).

Ron however is extremely grateful  to each and every independent store that carries the Luckydogs line.

How Lucky we are to have so many businesses in the area that are not “chain or box” stores! When you support your local store you really get to know the people in your community; be it Damien @ Aptos Feed, Lorraine@ Pet Pals in Soquel, Linda @Posh Pets in Pacific Grove or Lillian @ Shoppers Corner.

These are all great people who support dog-owned business such as mine!

In fact when Ron approached the OWNER of Surf City Coffee in Aptos about carrying a new product; his response was “I’ll sell anything you have, we’re trying to help you out!”  Now THATS what I call SUPPORT!

And your money is going right back into the community!  Then lo and behold…. sooner or later it winds up right back up in Your Pocket!

 A perfect example….today we sold some delicious treats to Pet Pals and the money barely hit Ron’s hand before I “psychically willed” him back into the store. A few cute looks, a whimper or two and I was the proud owner of two groovy new toys. ( Yes Grooovy! …I’m bringing it back!) ( I’m also bringing back “Heavens to Betsy!”…. try using it next time you whack your thumb with a hammer……Sweeeet right?

Also a special bark-out to Rosemary Chalmers of KSCO Radio for allowing Ron on the radio to talk about my business Monday morning!

Two Paws – Up Rosemary! ….(glad Ron handled that one… I slept to about 11:00 AM)

  Lucky

O.K... This isn't funny

Well the Crazy Hat Days in Felton came to a close today.  And although the weather was perfect; I guess the opportunity to appear in public with a fake dead skunk  or lobster on your nugget proved to be resistible to all but the hardiest of souls as there were more vendors than participants.

The good news is Ron made me a totally awesome hat to wear and snapped off a shot of me that is sure to win an award somewhere. And  we walked both weekend mornings in beautiful Henry Cowell State Park.(Sunday mom even went with us!)

 The other good thing that happened is that Ron met Rosemary Chalmers of KSCO radio and she is going to interview him @ 6:45 A.M. tomorrow (Monday). WOW!  Rosemary is awesome! I sure hope Ron can handle it; I really think she should be interviewing ME!  After all it IS my company and all…

Then again it IS @ 6:45……….. A.M.!  

O.K. I’ll let Ron do it……  besides I haven’t mastered  that whole talking thing yet.

Those noises you humans make always sound like the teacher in those old Charlie Brown cartoons; you know…Wha…Whaaah…Wha..Wha..Wha..Whaaaah!

I do understand a few words though… treats…foood…sleep…T.V.; the rest…………. Wha…Whaaah…Wha..Wha..Wha..Whaaaah!     Strange huh?

 Lucky

Here I am Workin' hard at the Woof to Woof in Scotts Valley on Sat. Oh yeah Ron was there too...

Well I worked on Saturday  guys. At the Woof to Woof event in Scotts Valley.

 Ron gets me up at……..get this…….6:00AM!  Is he nuts?   It’s Saturday!

That’s my sleeeeeeep day!  Not man the booth / protect my treats day!

Oh yeah that’s right folks… wake me up early; force me to help with the set-up and then expect me to calmly and willing participate in the dissemination of the world’s tastiest treats to TOTAL STRANGERS!

I Don’t Think So!  What part of “Their all mine!” don’t people understand anyway?

 Actually after about an hour I settled in and let Ron do his thing; selling treats and telling people where to buy them locally.  I really was behaving quite well if I do say so myself.

It probably didn’t hurt that directly across from our booth was none other than star of stage and screen KATHY GARVER! (“Sissy” from the old “Family Affair” TV Show.)

She was kind of the Grand Marshall for the event.

And she has this little dog that was so well behaved / I just couldn’t let him show me up.

Wow.. Sissy…. and she had a Mrs. Beasley doll there too! ( any one under forty consult an elder for an explanation here)….. Hey if Mr. French had put in an appearance I think Ron would have had a heart attack!

Thanks to all that came out to see me and pick up some goodies!  I hope to see you at the next event; maybe they’ll have another celebrity!….Lassie, Rin Tin Tin would be coool with me!… Benji? Don’t get me started……….

Lucky

Oh, it was ambitious I admit; but I got my human to go from 20 years as a Landscape Contactor to forming my own company that bakes dog treats!

Now I’m not saying I can get your human to do the same… heck why would I ? (Luckydogs Bakery cannot be competed with); but if you heed this advice you might get them to alter their lives in a manner in which they are increasingly doing what is important in life……… pleasing you!

As much as I hate to admit it…. we dogs need humans.  Oh alright!  We love humans!  There is just something about them… so cute with their dry noses and rosy cheeks!

And as ambassadors of Canine Goodwill it is our sworn duty to get them to slow down and sniff the roses sometimes.

This means spending more time with us doing fun things….. a walk on the beach…a visit to the dog park……….a trip to the pet store(for Luckydog treats of course).

See how it magically always comes back to pleasing us , guys?

So do your human a favor and the next time you see he is wound tighter than a tick….(oooh I hate those!)…… grab your leash that hangs by the door, fetch his boots, and lay at his feet..

Whimper if you have to….. just make sure the cat isn’t watching.

You may not be changing his career; but you are changing his day….. one walk at a time.

Lucky

Next time…………Lucky sells at Woof to Woof In Scotts Valley

A few more weapons in your arsenal to get what you want and train a human….

- The Head-Cock

You know… pick a word that your human uses on a regular basis and every time they say it;  tilt your head to the left or right and look puzzled and inquisitive.
To a human this irresistibly cute.

You may have to wait while they grab the camera and snap-off a few but this is sure to pay off with a half a dozen treats or so (preferably Luckydog Treats!)

- The Lap Jump

I dare you to find a human that doesn’t think.. “Oh look how much he loves me”!

As you cleverly mask your real intentions of cleaning off their sweater with a well-placed plop on the gut.

Give a lick to the face on this one guys; there may not be crumbs but occasionally  you will hit pay dirt if they happen to have a “milkshake moustache”.

- The Front Door Greeting

This old chestnut has been handed down for generations…yet it still works!

You need only to wake up from your nap seconds before they turn that doorknob; they still will think you were waiting for them Right There – All Day!

tip… if you’re a heavy sleeper like I am; do a trade out with the cat. Knock the cat food off the shelf every now and then in exchange for a “heads up” when the humans are getting close. She’ll see them…. heck she spends all day in front of the window anyway!

Anyway as soon as that door opens…jump around barking and turning in circles like a whirling dervish.

Chances are good that after a hard days work your human will head straight for the fridge for a “before supper – I deserve this” snack.

You need only to sit patiently by the fridge door….. keep waggin the tail… something will come your way..

Throw in a head-cock for good measure.

Be sure that once you add this one to your repertoire – you must make the commitment to perform it Every time!

Remember…. we’re training humans here!

Lucky

Next time………..getting them to change careers

With a new-found sense of self-esteem I settled in with my new family……then slowly took over.
Oh, It was subtle at first ( you have to play these things just right). Minor things.
Like the occasional escape from my crate at night and into the family bed.

“Back in the crate Lucky” Poppi would say as he gently placed me back into the doggy dungeon. ” All the books say it’s important for you to have your own space!”

Books! What do they know? Written by humans for humans.
I need my own pillow! ………on the bed!….in the center!!!

Guess where I sleep now?
Gooood…. you’re catchin’ on!

Guys, to train a human you must first let them think they are training YOU!

Believe me; if you conveniently “forget what you are doing” in a game of Frisbee toss; it wont be long before you’re happily roaming and marking the bushes in the park……while your “trainer” is alternately throwing and picking up the “training tool” by himself.

Works every time.

Lucky

Next time………more training tips

This being my first attempt at writing and all I guess it is only fitting that I start with some background info;
I was born in Hayward, CA about 2 1/2 short years ago.
After a brief childhood with my folks and siblings, I was sent off to live with a woman whose intention it was that I enter “Dog Shows” and the like.
After all I was “pick of the litter”.

Unfortunately for her but lucky for me I developed a crooked tooth; this all but ended my modeling career.
I was shipped back to my original home at the tender age of 6 months. Unwanted.. Cast aside like an old bone. All because of a dental abnormality.

Would no one ever love me? Would I be forced to live in the shadows, never smiling in fear of being ridiculed for my genetic dental mutation? (key violin music in your head here)

Enter Ron” Lucky” and Noni Borden.
One look at me and they were smitten… crooked tooth and all.
In fact Ron (I call him Poppi) told me that it was a sign of great character – like Barbara Streisand’s nose; and besides with that tooth I can hold onto a tug-o-war blanket like nobody’s business!

With logic like that, how could I refuse this new family? I think I’ll keep them…

Lucky

Next time……………training em’ right