Luke Supports Bed Rest

Recently I was asked whether or not I Support Bed Rest.  I have to admit to being completely taken aback by the naivety this question.  On its surface, the question seems simple enough.  Do I, Luke the Wonderdog, support resting on a bed?  Oh, but there is so much complexity buried in that question that I feel I cannot just let "sleeping dogs lie" with a simple answer like, "Yes". 

First, let us consider what is meant by the word "Bed" in Bed Rest.  The key to properly understanding this term requires coming to grips with the fact that if one has the proper mindset then every surface is a "Bed".  Obviously, a large, well-made, king-sized bed is a bed.  But keep the following facts in mind as well.  A nice, soft, leather sofa is certainly a "Bed".  A freshly vacuumed and decluttered carpet is a very fine "Bed".  The coolness of a recently swept and mopped-free-of-muddy-dog-foot prints tile or wood floor absolutely makes a great "Bed".  Maybe not so obvious, but accurate nonetheless, is the fact that freshly planted seasonal flowers make a wonderful "Bed".  This location is particularly relaxing because it comes with the pleasant wafting smell, borne by the fresh Texas air, and grand splendor of beautiful, aromatic flowers.  In fact, this location is even called a flower "Bed".  Who could dare argue this is a "Bed"?  Other places or things that I have verified through personal testing which qualify as "Beds" include futons, bathtubs, outdoor furniture cushions, dining room tables, My People's respective laps (which are often accompanied by the words, "Good Lord you're heavy Luke...now get down"...My People are such kidders), shower floors, and anybody else's yard just to name a few.  Goodness, the list of what constitutes a bed seems endless.

The second word of this complex question involves the word "Rest".  Again, defining "Rest" seems simple enough at first.  But, with careful consideration, one soon realizes that understanding "Rest" takes considerable effort.  (Ironic isn't it?)  Please consider the following.  Sleeping is obviously "Rest".   But, the dictionary also defines "Rest" as 1. "refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor", 2. "relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs", 3. "a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquility", and 4. "mental or spiritual calm; tranquility".  Ponder the types of things that could induce a feeling of "relief or freedom".  Chewing things (particularly things made of fabric that have been worn by My People), feeling no need to go outside to take care of "business" if doing so simply seems like too much effort, and eating warm, deliciously prepared food at head-height off of the dinner table instead of having to painfully lower one's head to the ground to eat dry, bland food out of a bowl all provide much relief and freedom.  Particularly freeing is playfully dragging the 5 year old child of My People around the backyard by the arm while he giggles and squirms.  That is so restful!

With all of this in mind, and having fully considered the broad and diverse universe of what constitutes "Bed Rest" I am now prepared to state my position.

I am not "vile and wretched".  I am definitely not a "creature".  I am Luke and I Support Bed Rest.

Vote For Luke.

I'll Fight For You

As the defender of My People, I willingly answer the call of duty to fight off danger when necessary, which I know brings with it the very real possibility of injury or death.   Since being rescued from jail over two years ago My People have provided me with a very comfortable home in which to live, over 25lbs of expensive food per week, enough water to fill Lake Texoma, veterinary care and occasional boarding which easily surpasses $1000 each year, thick grass to dig up (and replacement grass when it's all gone), wonderful bushes to rub and chew (and replacement bushes when the old ones die), an awesome door into which I can dig my claws as I raise up on my back legs to watch the squirrels outside, a dinner table that is the perfect height for me to lay my slobbery chin on while My People are eating, a soft, king-sized bed and a nice, leather sofa upon which I can relax without fear of retribution for the occasional tear or scratch I leave behind in the bedspread or fabric, and of course, all the love and attention they can muster. 

In addition to providing me with so much, My People often demonstrate how much they love everything about me.  One example of how they demonstrate that love is that they seem to really like it when I leave pounds and pounds of my hair all over the house.  They seem to recognize the fact that each and every hair that I leave behind represents a little piece of my heart which I so willingly give to them.  I can tell they really like my hair by the fact that several times each day they take out the sweeper looking thing and collect as much of my hair off of the floor (and the couch) as they can.  They have a little storage place behind a door in the kitchen where they always put what they collect.  I can only imagine for what special occasion they are saving it.  Given how much hair there must be in that collection place by now I have a feeling it's going to be an awesome surprise.

With all that My People have given to me and with all of the love they've to shown me, certainly My People have earned my commitment to Fight For Them when required.

But today, reflecting on my commitment to Fight For My People, I feel compelled to go big, to push myself, to be for you what I am for My People.  That's right, I will now also Fight For You.  Of course, for my commitment to Fight For You to be somewhat realistic you'll have to move into My People's house.  (It doesn't seem realistic for you to expect me to patrol the entire world day after day.)  I'm sure My People won't mind.  Given the ease with which they have accepted dogs, frogs, fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, ants, axolotls, a stray snake, and even visiting kids into the house, I'm sure they'll be fine with you moving in with us if you want to partake of my commitment to Fight For You.  So come on over.  No notice is required.  My People love surprises.  I'll greet you with excitement, a lot of tail wagging, a little bit of jumping, and probably too much slobber.

I'm not "vile and wretched".  I'm definitely not a "creature".  I'm Luke and I'll Fight For You.

Vote For Luke.

Luke Supports the Texas Rangers

On this last day of the regular season for the Texas Rangers I thought it completely appropriate to share with all of you that I fully support the reigning American League Champions, the Texas Rangers.  As an avid baseball fan, I find the Rangers' amazingly successful drive to the end of the season inspiring.  With a win tonight the Rangers will set a franchise win record of 96 wins.  Just this past weekend they set a new franchise regular season attendance record of 2,946,949 ballpark attendees.  They have one player (Michael Young) competing for the MLB batting title (he's tied for 2nd going into today's final game).  Their leadoff batter (Ian Kinsler) has 32 home runs and 30 steals making him only the 11th player in MLB history with multi-year 30-30 seasons.  They have 7 players with 60 or more RBIs (Young [106], Beltre [105], Hamilton [94], Cruz [87], Kinsler [77], Napoli [72], and Andrus [60]). They are 14 out of their last 17 and have the highest batting average (.280), the most hits (1590), the second most home runs (208), the second highest slugging percentage (.460) and the second highest on base-plus slugging percentage (.800) in all of baseball.  The Rangers seem to be on the brink of something great.

One of my brethren at The Ballpark

Why does this matter to me, Luke the Wonderdog, you ask?  I think it is obvious.  The Rangers are committed to Dog Day at the Park on an annual basis and that commitment has obviously paid off.  That's right, this year on May 29th the Texas Rangers once again brought the good luck of "the Bark" into "the Park".  Some might say that's just a gimmick.  But those naysayers are wrong.  Since May 29th of this year the Rangers have been "nipping at the heals" of the MLB record books.  Any team that has tried to beat them has found that they are "barking up the wrong tree".  The Rangers have raced around the bases with the speed of Greyhounds and they've powered the ball with strength of the Great Pyrenees (shout out to all my GP cousins).  The Rangers have left fans "drooling" with the prospect of great postseason success as they have "shed" all contenders for the American League West Division Title.  The teams that have been "ruff"ed up by Rangers' awesome pitching and hitting are now a "large pile" of wanna-bees, could've beens, and should've beens. 

Today, at the end of the regular season, all that matters is that My Rangers, from My Texas, are My Team and My People and I support them.

I am not "vile and wretched".  I am definitely not a "creature".  I am Luke and I Support the Rangers.

Vote For Luke.

Luke Supports Letter Carriers

I have long been fond of the folks who drive the little white trucks with the steering wheel on the wrong side.  They often drive around with their doors open leaving presents in the little boxes out by the street.  No doubt the Letter Carriers leave their doors open so that they can interact with friends like me and families like my people.    Their enthusiastic (and sometimes frantic) waving as I say hello in my loudest, booming voice and bound through a door or gate left ajar by my people is evidence of the caring and kind heart that resides within each Letter Carrier. 

I know that each and every one of them whom I try to personally greet would like to stay and spend more time with me but their calling to leave gifts at other little boxes along their route compels them to usually drive away from me in much haste.  Of course, they like it when I play the game where I run alongside of their neat little truck saying hello and trying to nip the little black things that go round and round.  I know they like to play this game because they keep driving past all the little boxes on the street where they normally stop just so that the game can last longer.  I suspect later, after the game has tired me out or after I've been distracted by a squirrel or a rabbit, that the Letter Carrier returns to all the boxes he or she passed and leaves presents in those boxes.  Nevertheless, it sure is nice of each and every Letter Carrier to spend so much time playing with me.

Well, that's all for today.  I hear my people and I want to go shower them with love (and maybe a little slobber).

Remember.  I'm not "vile and wretched".  I'm definitely not a "creature".  I'm Luke and I support Letter Carriers.

Vote for Luke.

Luke Supports Recycling

With all the talk lately about global warming, which is now starting to be referred to more frequently as climate change (by the way, I suspect that the terminology change has something to do with the fact that the whole "global warming" thing isn't living up to its hype), I want to affirm my support for prudent lifestyle changes which increase recycling. 

In my house, my people have found alternate uses for newspapers, plastic grocery bags, paper towels, and many other cleaning products.  I've done my part to support recycling by "encouraging" my people to get into the full swing of the recycling movement by strategically placing little "reminders" around the house for them occassionally. 

Most humans lash out at others when they experience change and my people are no different.  My people initially got very frustrated at me for "reminding" them of how many uses some materials have.  My people, particularly the older ones, have called me names and have muttered questions like "what did he eat?", "are you kidding me?", and of course the now often heard phrase, "Luke, you vile and wretched creature." 

Deep down though I know the things my people say are truly words and terms of endearment.  I have found a special place in their heart and they certainly have one in mine.

So, remember, I'm not vile and wretched.  I'm not a creature.  I'm Luke and I support recycling.

Vote for Luke.

It's A New Day

Well, I woke up this morning after a restful night dozing and occasionally waking up to listen to the reassuring sounds of my people sleeping.  I'm looking forward to today.  The weather is a little cooler and it reminds me of what life in the "old land" overlooking the sheep must have been like.  Today I will make my best attempt to catch one of those crazy squirrels that sit on my fence and mock me.  They do it on purpose...I know they do.  One day...oh yes, one day I'm going to catch one.  Not that I want to hurt it or anything...I just want to cover it in dog drool and then watch it try to climb a tree with slime-covered feet.  That will be so funny. 

Speaking of funny.  I sure do wish my laughs would come out of my throat as laughter instead of as barks.  My people get so frustrated with me for barking all the time.  If they only knew that I was laughing I think they would be much more patient with me.  I am really a very happy dog.

Oh yeah...I have to endure another day with Peanut today.  That dog drives me crazy.   Seriously, any dog named Peanut has no redeeming qualities.   

Oops...better go...I hear my people coming.  I am not, I say again I am not, "vile and wretched" and I am certainly not a "creature".  I'm Luke.

Vote For Luke.