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Kennel time coming up

I will miss the 'boat dearly over the holidays, but three dogs is a bit much for my sister, who's hosting our family. With her dog, that makes four. (Three plus one is four, right? Hey, I'm a journalist--a word person, not a numbers guru.) Tugboat also is set to have his nails cut. I'm not sure if they have to hog-tie him, but they are starting to curl. Anyway, his nails are not easy to cut.
But Tugboat should have a merry Christmas anyway. And Happy Holidays to the thousands of BullDogmatic readers!

Bulldozer season

Tugboat doesn't mind the snow much. In fact, he likes to push his flat face in it and eat the white stuff. When not consuming snowflakes, he plows right through it. It's easy sometimes to follow in his footsteps as he's blazed a snow trail for me. Yes, Tugboat is quite the bulldozer or snowplow.

Heating vents

Tugboat's not going to help me win any energy-conservation awards anytime soon. He likes it when hot air from the bathroom heating vent blasts on his belly, and will grumble until I crank up the thermostat. However, I save energy elsewhere.
He also prefers to swill water from the outside spigot (even in the dead of night in winter) as opposed to the water dishes on the more comfortable (for me) kitchen floor.
Ah, the things I do for him!

Oh, the pain, the pain...

I have a headache. Do bulldogs get headaches? I think Tugboat's head is larger than mine, not that it would make any difference.
BTW, the above headline is in reference to Dr. Zachary Smith's often-used lament in "Lost In Space." And yes, I'm dating myself.

Bulldogs in general

I am very thankful for Panalog. Not only does it keep Tugboat's ears clean, especially his dirty-icky-brown one, it keeps his nose-to-mouth fold clean. Otherwise, it clogs up with the nastiest dark junk whose composition is a complete biological mystery.
He does have a continuing problem with a crusty nose. I can add Bag Balm, but I have to keep it up, and Digby tends to immediately lick it off him. Besides, you really need a some sun to bake the Bag Balm into Tugboat's mud-flat nose. However, the vet told me it probably doesn't hurt him. It's just unsightly. That's OK. Tugboat's handsome otherwise.

Tugboat/Cat in the Hat scenario

What does my boy do when I'm away? Ride on some sluppalumpp thing out of Dr. Seuss? Sleep? Wish he were eating? Wish I were with him? It would be interesting to install a Webcam or videocamera to see Tugboat Home Alone (With Digby). I bet there's not much action, though.

Tugboat at Monday's dog park outing

I think it's called the Northern Tail Dog Park, but whatever — Tugboat, Digby, Sassy (the new foster) and I had a good time Monday. We went after work, which apparently was a hot time as the place was hopping, literally. A young collie, an Airedale, a beagle and other canines filled the park. Tugboat mostly went up to people to get his bum rubbed, but Digby and Sassy engaged in more active pursuits, such as chasing and being chased.
We will try to go again today.

Tugboat at Aviation Day

Tugboat had a good Sunday, or at least it's what I think should have been a good Sunday. I took him to Aviation Day at Mason Jewett Airfield, where he enjoyed mingling with the crowd, sharing a steak dinner with me and lying down and panting by a soybean field. I wish he could have taken a helicopter ride, assuming it could have gotten off the ground!
Later in the day Tugboat, Digby, foster Sassy and I went to the East Lansing dog park where there were two other bulldogs! Both were much smaller than Tugboat. He showed interest at first, then was indifferent. It might have been too hot, but there was plenty of water and shade around.
Later at night at home when I was trying to watch the Olympics, Tugboat showed his gratitude by annoying me and barking almost every time I sat on the couch to relax. I didn't take it well. I feel bad when I become angry with him, but dogs are like kids. You love them, yet they have the propensity to annoy at the worst times. Well, we all settled down at last.

Wild at night

Just when I think Tugboat is really slowing down, he doesn't, especially some nights when I'm really slowing down for the day. Our biorhythms aren't always in sync, but we make adjustments, especially when I yell "Shut up!" Then I feel guilty. I like it when Digby can get him to play. But I must remember that someday when he's gone I'll miss being pestered. Maybe not every single time, but I'll miss rubbing his wrinkly forehead.
I think I will have to give him a forehead rub when I get home from work.

Tugboat with new foster

Sassy is a 10-month-0ld border collie/terrier mix that has weasel-like tendencies in that she can squeeze through a 5-inch gap in the door and run away. Tugboat can't catch her, but doesn't try anyway. Therefore I have to go after her.
However, she is good at getting Tugboat to play and can be rougher than Digby. It's good for Tug's big heart!

Tugboat is home from the kennel

Tugboat loves the kennel, aka doggy camp. He was treated to two belly rubs this time while I visited Michigan's Upper Peninsula (Tugboat would have liked Lake Superior, but I wasn't up to bringing along dogs). I picked up Tugboat and Digby Monday, and promptly got a flat tire as I left the kennel. A call to AAA and I was on my way, although I had to buy four new tires. Something new that Tugboat can mark if he wants.

Tugboat on the Fourth of July

We opted not to go for the fireworks in Mason, Michigan this year. Since they were out of town, I decided I didn't want to wait the hour and a half. Maybe next year; last year was fun.
Anyway, Tugboat was a big hit at the Fourth of July parade. I spoiled him with cheeseburgers and bottled water, and he got to lie down in nice sod, or at least grass that's a lot lusher than our lawn.
He also only barked a few times during a cannon rededication ceremony.
As usual, people stopped me to ask about him. Since the mascot of Mason High School is the bulldog, kids made note of that.
I take Tugboat to as many of these events as I can (cheeseburgers and a cool sidewalk are a bonus).

Tugboat and fireworks?

Tugboat still isn't his usual perky self, but maybe taking him to a Fourth of July fireworks display will help. Last year he wanted to attack those little fountains that people set off in the parking lot. It might have stressed him a bit, but he likes the company of people. And I think he will enjoy Mason's Independence Day parade as well, and people will enjoy him. After all, the mascot of the local high school is the bulldog.