Mary Poppins

Okay, it's not fair that Cosette has been hogging the computer. So I talked to Mommy and finally she said, "Okay, Delilah. You can do Saturday's blog post." Wow! I love Saturdays bestest! Thanks Mommy!

I am Mommy's oldest Standard Poodle. I was born June 12, 1999 and this year I'll be nine years old. Average Standard Poodles live for about 14-16 years. But I'm WAY above average. Just ask Mommy!

Mommy and Daddy really bought me for Brooke and Morgan, but it turned out I loved Mommy bestest. But Brooke and Morgan are really nice, too.

Joshua had a German Shepherd Dog, Trixie, when I joined the family, but she died before my first birthday. Sometimes I still miss her. She was a good friend to me and she taught me to behave very nicely. That's why I act so well - to make Trixie proud of me.

Mommy calls me her "Mary Poppins - Practically Perfect in Every Way!" I am very well behaved and never tip over the trash can. Well, almost never. I cross my paws when I lie down. I insist on being properly introduced to a stranger before I allow them to pet me. I never counter-surf. Well, almost never.

When I went to Obedience School, I graduated With Honors! When we first started, all those Other Dogs and their Owners would snicker. Personally, I think they were jealous that no one had fluffed their ears and painted their toenails. But by the end of the first class, when I was being Mommy's Mary Poppins and the Other Dogs were Not Sitting and Not Lying Down and Not Heeling, but were Barking and Fighting and Pooping in class, they weren't snickering anymore. And they didn't snicker when I won the Recall Relay Championship.

I'm just that way - Mary Poppins.

I'm definitely the alpha Poodle in this house. Every morning I wash Cosette's and Abrial's faces and ears just like a good Mother Poodle would. I have one toy - my pink squeaky bone - and I've had it ever since I was a puppy. I take good care of my things. I get to sleep on Mommy and Daddy's bed. I'm the only Poodle who doesn't have to get in a crate when everyone leaves. I wake Abrial and Cosette up in the morning when it's time to go outside, but only after Mommy says it's okay.

Sometimes I'm not completely perfect. I am very ticklish on my feet and don't like for them to be clipped at grooming time. And I like to lie down when Mommy grooms me. But it takes SO LONG, Mommy! And I'm not thrilled with this new rule about getting teeth brushed. But I'm getting used to it.

But I LOVE going on car rides! I like the barn and I like Starbucks and I REALLY LIKE Sonic - Mommy likes their raspberry tea, but I like them because of their dog biscuits! Yummy! And when I go car riding, I like sitting in the front seat. Did I mention I'm the Alpha Poodle?

I'm sleepy now, so I'm going to go lie down. Umm...Cosette...you're bopping me on the head again!