“Hey, Pops. What’s going on?”
“I’m wondering how you and Lucy are getting on with Twiggy.”
“I would say quite well. She is a lot of fun till she starts with the nipping.”
“Yeah. All puppies do that. Just tell her, no.”
“I think a deep growl conveys the message.”
“Speaking of that. Are you teaching her about being a dog?”
“Hold on Pops. Let me get with Lucy.”
“Lucy. Huddle up time.”
“What is it? Lose your bone to Twiggy?”
“No Pops is asking if we are teaching her to be a dog.”
“Okay let’s review the morning, and you can answer the question.”
First of all was the treat lesson
“Hey kid what are you doing?”
“Trying to find a crumb by this chair.”
“Forget that.”
“But these crumbs are tasty.”
“How about if I show you how to get a big ole treat?”
“What do I do?”
“You find mama, and then you plunk your butt on the floor.”
“I found mama.”
“Hit the floor.”
“I get it. This is what is called,”sit.”
“Yup. That’s it. Enjoy.”
“Now I need to show you how to— Hey, where you going?”
“Bailey is calling me.”
“What do you want, Bailey?”
“There is a dog skill that I need to explain a little.”
“Oh, I’m all ears. What is it.”
“Don’t worry you’ll grow into those ears. What I need to explain is watch dogging.”
“Watch dogging?”
Yes, follow me.”
“You need to keep an eye out for anyone who may pose a threat to our humans.”
“I can’t get up there yet.”
“Not to worry just listen. You will have the opportunity to sound an alarm when monsters approach the house.”
“Monsters? What kind of Monsters.”
“Oh, they have real names. UPS and FedEx are just two. There is also any number of intruders climbing our stairs.”
“What do we do?”
“We are in Luck. There is a FedEx across the street.”
“Should I hide.”
“No watch Lucy. Across the street is only a mid emergency. See how attentive she is. If this were an actual incursion, she would be whining.”
“What would you be doing?”
“Barking my butt off till Pops or Mama tell me it is okay.”
“I’m not sure I can bark.”
“It will come, sis. It will come. Lucy, I’ll go and report to Pops we have covered treat acquisition and watch dogging.”
Fiction Favorites 
So cute and what an amazing conversation with all of them. Beautiful post, John.
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Thank you, Kamal. 😀
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Welcome John
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Some very useful skills being learnt there, John. When I asked Trevor why he always barks at the postwoman, he explained that it’s to make sure she doesn’t come in and kill us. As he pointed out, it seems to be working – no delivery person has harmed us after his barking!
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See. He knows. I think all dogs have the same desire to hold delivery folks to a high standard of zero life taking.
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The 2 most important lessons 🙂 haha enjoyed the conversation and pictures 👏 I’m sure Twiggy will bark very loud (loudest of them all?) if she’ll get the right cookies 🍪 no crumbs! 😂😬😉
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She still is silent on the barking. I’m sure that will change.
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Soooonnn 😂
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Oh nooooooo
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Has Lucy got treat begging down to a fine art yet, especially at human mealtimes?
Hugs
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Lucy is an ex Monk. She knows begging.
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All very important lessons. 😁
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Charles.
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I think those three have you well protected, John. 🐶🐶🐶
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Can’t wait for the little one to join in the “Igor and has Baying hounds,” routine. Thanks, Jill
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I love this John. Find Mama and plant your butt on the floor is classic…. hugs for you all, xX
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😀 Thanks, Jane.
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So sweet, our pets learn quickly that moms can’t resist a plea. Great dialogue, John. 🙂
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Thank you, Gwen.
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These girls are so sweet, John. I’m glad they’re getting along so well.
It’s a good thing Maddie isn’t teaching watch dogging. UPS on the street, anywhere within floppy ear shod, is reason enough to sound the alarm. Come to the door? You have to be crazy to try that.
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Ha ha ha. Ours comes to the door and rings the bell. Apoplectic is the name for the result.
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I can imagine. Does bark or does she delegate that to Bailey?
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Lucy seldom barks. She gives out with a whine and then does a long woooooooof through her lips. It is the same woooooooof she makes when it is dinner time.
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All purpose. I like that.
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She wastes no motion.
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Reblogged this on Words To Captivate ~ by John Fioravanti and commented:
John W. Howell’s latest episode with his furry kids is hilarious! Lucy and Bailey are teaching the puppy Twiggy to be a real dog!
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Great as ever John – Thoroughly enjoy your stories about Twiggy – I am in love with her already.
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Thank you so much, Anne. 😀
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Yep – you’ve got to watch for those FedEx and UPS monsters – never know when they’ll show up.
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We do. Everyday at 10:00 and 1:30.
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Love that story! 🙂
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Thank you, Pit.
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This is serious training, John — treat acquisition made me laugh out loud. Oh-oh… I’d better watch out for the Giggle Wraiths. Thou shalt not laugh in Mordor.
I remember my (late) Aspen teaching Crystal cat stuff. It was so obvious that he was teaching. Animals are amazing. Hugs.
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NO LAUGHING. Violaters will be trespassed. Hugs
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Precious writing and photos, John.
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Thank you, Audrey.
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These are always so perfect. Another wonderful post. Frankie had an absolutely silent bark for her first month. She’s making up for lost time lately.
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Ha ha ha. Funny how the volume goes up with age. Thanks, Craig
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Whatever you do, John, try to waylay Twiggy from finding her “barker” for as long as possible! I made the mistake of encouraging Baby Dallas to speak and he hasn’t shushed up yet!! Darling post, by the way.
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Good idea. Thanks, Debbie.
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I love it, and the pictures are perfect!
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Thank you, Robbie. 😀
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You are very welcome!
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🙂
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John, you have a future in writing Lucy, Bailey & Twiggy books. Your posts are serious fun! (laughing) Christine
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Thank you, Christine. 😀
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Fedex across the street. I have always said door and windows are tv and cable for cats and dogs.
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Agreed. Thanks, Andrew
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Lucy and Bailey are great teachers, John.
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They try. Sometimes Twiggy throws them a curve though.
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Oh, my! This trio is SO entertaining, John!
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Thank you, Jan
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Treat and intruders they started off with the important lessons. I love how they are taking such good care of their little sister:) Such a cute family.
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Thank you, DL. Lucy is crazy about Twiggy. Bailey not so much. (yet)
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This had to be one of my favorites yet! I love the Fed Ex monsters and watch dogging. The dialogue had be laughing out loud. Thanks for all the fun today—and great photos, too!
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Thank you so much, Mae.
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Would it be fair to say Lucy and Bailey are teaching Twiggy the finer points of dogging their mom for treats? As for FedEx and UPS coming up to the house, I’ll be they do it only on a double-dog dare.
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They still come up and out front door is glass. Lucky it is Hurricane glass.
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This is so funny and so well written.
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Thank you for the visits and for following. 😀
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You’re welcome. A pleasure.
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Oh yes, and the photos are great.
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Thank you again, Robert.
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I love this!
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Thank you, Jennie. 😀
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You’re welcome, John. 😀
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Seems the two shop stewards are working on the apprentice. Seems the Dogging routine may need some work.
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I think so too. Thanks, Frank.
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Wonderful. It is good to see Bailey and Lucy teaching Twiggy the importance of being a dog. They are a great family!
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Thank you, Kim. They are for sure.
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Priceless. Another gem, John! Such a joy to read. Thanks so much for sharing. Happy Friday! 🙂
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Thank you , Natalie. 😀
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Delightful doggie banter. Almost makes me wantbto get another dog —–almost, lol.
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Thank you, Micki. Get a plant instead.
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Simply A ‘PURR’ DELIGHT! Gosh, I love these posts! ♥♥
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Thank you Billy Ray. Notice no moons.
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Yep! ♥
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😀
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Cute story, John. You furry friends are so sweet.
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Thank you, Michelle.
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John, I just love these posts. Your babies are so adorable and your words are perfectly suited to their actions and expression. I’ll bet that is just what goes on inside their heads! Bravo!
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Thanks, Cheryl. I speak dog.
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It pays to be multi lingual. 😊
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Ha ha ha.
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