Punxsutawney Phil needs to hang it up...

Early Spring?  Come on!  Statistically speaking, I could flip a coin and be more accurate than him - 39% accuracy?  What a joke!  I bet if a Border Collie was asked to make these predictions, they'd do a much better job.

Anyways, as usual; it been a while since we last spoke, and on par with that- there has been an overwhelming number of requests to update my blog, so here goes!

I've been loving the snow, although I don't get to play as long in it as I would like- my kicks get all iced up after 15 to 20 minutes, so I don't stay out in this weather too long.  I guess I'm just not built for the deep powder.  That's ok- I like the spring, summer and fall best anyways!  Don't get me wrong; I love a good walk through the point on a cold winters day as well; but if I had my choice- I think I'd choose for it to be a bit warmer!

As you can see from the picture of me on the lighthouse- it's going to be a few more months before I get back in that water...  BRRRRRR!

Although I miss the warmth of the summer sun, the Winter does bring some merits - I get to go and walk around the Federal Wetlands behind the house...  I LOVE IT!  My person says I'm overstimulated when I go back there, but I bet he'd react the same way if he saw and smells what I do!  This place is GREAT!  Miles of new sniffs to enjoy and sometimes my friends Turbo (my other neighbor the Black Lab) and Aspen (the Siberian Husky) even come with us!  It's wonderful, and from what I can tell quite possibly one of my most favorite places.  After an hour of running (not walking) around this place, I'm usually spent and retire to my persons bed (after of course I get my paws cleaned off).

Anyways, that's all for now.  I'm off to help shovel the drive for the 2nd time today.  Bye for now!

SQUIRRELS!!!!

Let's get something straight here- I'm the sheriff of this park. People know me. I'm kinda a big deal! Usually I patrol here multiple times a day with little to no trespassers. It's a quiet little park, but that's all changed recently along with the turning of the leaves. I'm beginning to think there is an invasion of these little brown and black animals my person refers to as "squirrels"! I don't know much about these varmint, but they drive me NUTS!

Where do they get off scampering around on the ground like they own the place and then running straight up the side of a tree or telephone pole? I've tried chasing them up there but my person hasn't taught me how to climb like them yet. To make matters worse, they sit just out of my reach and make noises that drive me crazy!

Come down and fight like a canine! I'm yet to get a hold of one of these guys, but I've recently changed my tactics- so don't tell them! I used to run at them full speed which only caused them to notice me and give them time to get away. My new tactic is to crouch low to the ground with my head down- and slowly approach as to not be noticed. I'm getting better at sneaking up on them, but they're fast! Maybe I should ask my person to borrow his fast shoes? Hmmm...

Boyz Club!

It's a Man's world - especially at MY house! The girl had to move away, but my person says its just for a little while and she will be back to visit often. I might even get to go visit the girl... but my person and the girl are nervous about the plane ride. Plane ride? Hmmm... I don't know what that means, but they know that I get scared with thunder and fireworks and well, sometimes the dark - so I will trust that they will be gentle with me. I miss the girl though.

Anyway, MY house is now a Boyz Club. My person's coworker is gonna stay at MY house a couple of days a week. Coworkers' family lives in Pennsylvania (hope thats not as far as Korea or Belgium), but coworker works with my person here in Michigan (but not in our house like my person does almost every day. Ha, I love that!). Anyway, so its just us boyz right now. Coworker is really nice to me and I like him. I miss the girl though (did I already say that).

I will ask my person to take a picture of us boyz so I can put it on my blog.

The Girl

I am sad. The Girl? She moved. My person says its definitely NOT because she doesn't love us (whats not to love about me and my person?). My person says its because of her job and for us. She went to Belgium. I don't know what that is, but like my person with Korea - I know its not here.

The girl cried when she said goodbye to me. She cried when she said goodbye to my person too. The girls tears made my head wet. She was sad. I was sad. I'm going to miss the girl so much. Especially her butt scratches. No one scratches my butt like the girl. I hope she comes visit me soon. I love her. And I know she loves me.

Benson Phelps!

Hi Everyone! How is everyone doing? I'm GREAT!!! I've been having a great summer - its pretty fantastic living in this town. Lots of great people, I get to play with my buddies all the time, AND I get to go swimming a LOT!! Its the best! I'm getting really good at swimming. I love to fetch sticks or my tennis ball. I'm even starting to jump into the water some (although, I do still get a little nervous). The BEST time is when my person and the girl take me for a ride on the boat and then we go swimming. Sometimes the water is a little high for me - but my person and the girl make sure I'm okay and hold me when I get tired. They love me.

3rd Birthday! In dog years - I'm LEGAL!!

Na na na na na nah - I say its My Birthday!! :) Its my 3rd Birthday today. Really excited! I was only a year and a half when I found my Fur-ever home, so that means, I have been loved by my person and the girl for HALF MY LIFE!! How wonderful! This half has definitely been the better of the two. Fo' Sur! Last night, my person and the girl took me to the Puppy Bakery and we picked up some yummy birthday treats. I have to wait for the girl to get home from work before I can enjoy them. I wonder whats taking her SO long. This morning I got to wear a party hat and a birthday button. Its my special day!!! Although, everyday is pretty great when I get to spend it with my person.

These Boots Aren't Made for Walking!

Hello out there. How are all my people? I've had a few rough days. As you know, I love to spend time with my person and the girl. Anything they're doing, well then I'm doing it too! Lately, we've been doing alot. I've started swimming. Its great fun. I will share some pics soon. And with the weather being so nice, I get lots of outdoor time. Both my person and the girl take me running. They each only go once a day, but sometimes I go twice, once with each of them. I LOVE IT! And my person takes me on Fast Shoes. I've told you guys about Fast Shoes before. They are MY favorite! Well, a few days ago, my person took me for a run AND on fast shoes. So great!! I did really well... but my person noticed that I was limping a little when we got back to our house. I was really trying to be tough, but it was hard. See... the thing is, I ripped off a pad on my white front paw. Ouch! My person took me to the doggy doctor (they are really nice there) and the doctor had to remove one from my black front paw. No fun! The doggy doc cleaned my paws really well and then wrapped them in bandage booties. I don't like them AT ALL! Please don't laugh at these pictures, I know I look ridiculous. Especially when my person has to wrap them in plastic baggies when I go outside. I'm so embarrased.

Don't worry though, I'm doing okay and should be back to my usual self soon. The doggy doc even said that the pads would be even tougher (grrr!) when they grow back. This is good news - because I'm not giving up Fast Shoes!

OVERSTIMULATED!

Holy Moly! I am so overstimulated!!

The past two days have been wild - so many people here with machines and tools doing all kinds of crazy things. My person and the girl call is "landscaping"...but as far as I can see, there are new and exciting places for me to mark, right here in my OWN yard.

This is a study in self-control for me, because the girl and my person have told me I'm not allowed to mark the new "landscaping". I will do my best to show the proper restraint because I want to be a good boy - but I may forget every so often - I'm only Canine!

Appetizers!

I am a very refined dog. I do not gobble down my food like there will not be another meal. I know my people love me and I will have another meal soon. I like to take my time and enjoy my food. I chew every bite and even prefer to remove my food from my dish and enjoy it morsel by yummy morsel from the carpeting. Yes, carpeting. I am a refined dog, so I prefer to eat my meals from the comforts of a warm floor. More than anything, I love a good appetizer to start my meal. My person and the girl have finally learned that I am such a refined dog, and like people, I enjoy a small taste of what is to come. Any treat will do as my appetizer although I prefer a snausage in the morning (you know, like bacon) and something meatier for dinner, perhaps a T-Bone treat or a Pup-erone. I am a very refined dog.

Fed, Pooped and Sleeping with two Chicks!!

So, both my person and the girl had to go away on a trip. I was a little sad about it at first...my person left, and I tried to get him to stay. I even sat on his suitcase so he wouldn't leave without me.

Then the girl packed her bag too - and I was worried that she was leaving without me too. Well, she took me in the car with her when she left. I didn't know where we were going...but then we turned into my person's best buddy's neighborhood. You guys remember my person's best buddy; we stayed there last summer before we moved in with the girl in the big house. Well?? Angel and Diva live at the best buddy's house. Yay! So, while my person and the girl are away - I get to stay over and play with Angel and Diva. A little while ago, the best buddy laughed and said the girl just sent him a note asking how I was doing - and he said that I was doing "GREAT! Fed, Pooped and sleeping with two chicks". Ha ha! The best buddy is funny.

Goodnight - my ladies are waiting.

Gotcha Day!

I celebrated my first Gotcha Day on December 26th! See, its Gotcha Day because that is the day my person and the girl Gotme! (When they say it, its "Benson, today's the day we Gotcha!"), Get it?? So, Gotcha Day! It was so fun. My person and the girl spent lots of time playing with me and even took me to the Pointe for a walk. I love it there. So many sniffs to smell and trees to mark. My favorite!

This years Christmas Pics

Hello friends! Happy 2010! So wow, a whole new year. I had a great Christmas, hope everyone did. I got a stocking full of treats and toys and all my family gave me presents. So fun! I love Christmas. Plus, I got to go to my persons parents house and play with my buddy Emmy. I hear Emmy just got a little sister - a Cocker Spaniel named Ella. I can't wait to meet Ella too! Here are some Christmas pics!!

Dear Santa....

My person and the girl have been getting ready for Christmas. The girl put up a green thing with lights on it in the living room. Its looks like a tree outside (the kind I really like to mark) but the lights and the things hanging off it make it different. Plus, I don't think the girl or my person would be very happy if I marked on our Christmas tree.

This will be my first Christmas with my person. Its so exciting. I really haven't had really good Christmases in the past. My person told me I should ask Santa for some presents. I don't know about that....Does Santa bring presents and treats to doggies? Well, just in case, here is my Christmas Letter.

Dear Santa,
Hello. My name is Benson and I am a 2 year old Border Collie. I am a good dog and last winter I found my person and my fur-ever home. Its really been wonderful. I love my person so much. I am lucky to get a fur-ever home, lots of dogs like me never get one of those. The beginning of my life was a little lonely, but its definitely different now. My person loves me so much and I love him too! I have a nice warm home and a soft place to sleep and food to eat everyday. I even go for walks. Santa, I know I'm supposed to ask you for wishes for Christmas - but I really feel I already have all my wishes I need. So, my Christmas wish is this... Santa, if you could, please give a Christmas treat to dogs that don't have a fur-ever home yet. The shelters and rescues are filled with really good people that take care of dogs without a place to be so maybe they could use some support to help care for the doggies. Thats really all I want Santa. Thank you for reading my letter and if you helped me find my person and my fur-ever home last year, thank you.
Love, Benson

- The girl just read my letter (she has to help my post my blogs) and she said that she would give a Christmas donation to the rescue where I was found. She told me to add a few things that I might like besides donations to animal shelters. So I guess I should say, I really like bones (rawhide kind, flavored is always yummy). I really like stuffed toys that squeak too. Thats all!

Brave with a capital B! ..and that stands for Benson!

Yesterday was a big day. I went to the doctor. I usually don't mind going to the doctor, the ladies in the front are very nice and I get a treat (or two...). But yesterday, I needed shots! Ouch! And blood work..double OUCH! My person is so great. He held my head and kept whispering to me the whole time so I wouldn't be scared. He really loves me. I know it! I think it was actually harder on him than it was on me. But you see, I'm BRAVE! (not so sure about my person). After it was all done the doctor put on a bandage. I was a good boy and left it on til we got home.

The doctor says I have a minor ear infection. See, I already knew there was a problem, it just took me rubbing my face on the carpet until I started rubbing my hair off around me eye that my person and the girl clued in on my problem. But, thats okay. I am a really happy and playful boy so it was really hard for them to know anything was wrong. The doctor gave my person some medicine to put in my ears. I don't really like it.... I want to shake my head a lot after the drops go in and get them out of there. The girl gave me my medicine this morning and she wouldn't let me shake my head. I know its for my own good...but maybe I'm not the best patient.

Thats all for now. My person is putting stuff in that black square thing again so I think that means he's leaving. Rats! The girl is busy with a funny looking dead bird in the kitchen. She calls it a Turkey and tells me people are coming over tomorrow to eat it. We'll see about that.

Goodbye my friend...

My friend Bailey has gone to Heaven. It happened yesterday. The girl was very, very sad. She said that Bailey was part of her family for 14 years and really helped the girls mom through some really tough stuff. It makes me sad that Bailey is gone. It makes me sad that the girl is so sad. The girl says that Bailey is running free and playing with all the other dogs in Heaven. Maybe Bailey is even with the girls dad today.

Goodbye sweet Bailey.

SHOES!

I have an amazing skill. I can tell when my person or the girl are putting on their shoes. They could be on the other side of the house, or in their closets or anywhere... and I can hear them putting on those shoes. I love shoes. It doesn't matter if they are big shoes or little shoes or shoes that slap on the ground or my favorite "fast shoes" (the girl says they are rollerblades)... any kind of shoes - I love them. And do you know WHY??? Because shoes mean I'm going OUTSIDE! I'm going for a walk or to play. Going outside is so great. So many great smells and trees to mark... and it all starts with SHOES!

I don't need any - but my people do - so I make certain I hear that familiar sound of shoes going on, even when my person and the girl think they are being quiet. They are NO match for me! I got shoes skillz!

Indian Summer

Today was a beautiful day. It was so nice and warm outside. The girl and I went for a walk in the morning and then we worked around the house. I am very helpful, ask my person and the girl. I am always so helpful when they are doing stuff!

Later, the girl and I went for a car ride. I like being in the car. I didn't know where we were going but I trust the girl - I will go anywhere. Well, we went to the best place - DOG PARK! It was great. I ran and played and sniffed other dogs. I had the best time. Emma and Annie were there with their mama and the little kids. The little kids know my name. They are cute. The girls sister was there too - and she brought her new toy (I wasn't allowed to play with it). The girl says its a really nice camera and the girls sister took lots of pictures of me. I've gotta tell you - I think I look GOOD! I'm a handsome and strong boy. We had a great time! I even played on the equipment!!

Oh, when we got home, the girl and I made desserts. The girl says they are thank you's for our neighbors. She is going to deliver them later. I hope I get to go too.

Missing my person...

My person is in Korea. I miss him. This is me missing him...

From this place on the stairs, I can see the front door. Just sitting here waiting for my person to come home.

Movin' on up - to the East Side!

Hey everybody! Sorry I haven't updated this blog in so long. I've been really busy. See, I moved! Thats a picture of me with the new house. Pretty great huh! Its the best and I can tell you why... First, both my person and the girl are here. We are a family and it makes me so happy. My person is still my favorite but I like the girl being with us all the time. She can scratch my butt like no one else - and I do love that! Secondly, I love the new house because I have new friends! Scooby lives next door, he is a chocolate lab and we are buddies. And then Turbo lives on the other side and he's a black lab. We have fun together. We run and play and bark. Its the best!

The new house is good - lots of carpet. I like carpet. There is also this long hallway and I love when my person plays "Stay Benson, then come find my person". Its the best game ever. I love running through the house looking for my person. I am so proud of myself when I find him. My person is always laughing and I can tell he loves me. Its our special game. I especially love to play it at night after he comes home late. Somehow the girl never wakes up, even though I have a hard time being quiet (my person isn't very quiet either).

I promise to write more soon. The girl is taking me for a walk now...and I'm not gonna pass up that chance.

Photo Montage

Yes, I may be a dog - but I am a Border Collie and we are the most intelligent breed so, Of Course I know the words photo montage! Duh!




Making Friends with Ozzie...














Silly kitty... I sit on the couch NOW!






Great chair girls sister! Love it!







Found a baseballl... Game On!









The girl took my for an ice cream at Shakers!

So Yummy!!