By StarBuck

Woof! Woof! It's your Pal StarBuck here! What has always puzzled me are these things. I thought all you pups might be interested. Maybe they puzzle you too!

I think humans are one of the most fascinating things. I also think that the thing that they talk into, that makes noises, and that is a square shape..I've heard my Mommy say "Cell Phone"...is fascinating too. Me being an Assistance Dog..well I go and sometimes retrieve it for her and I have to say..that thing is NO Milkbone! But there are many things I find odd. I mean a Memory Foam mattress...I assumed they just slept on a Pet Smart dog bed! And then there are spoons...I mean..don't they just eat finger food or gobble it up like me? That still haunts me today.

Dad after day I practice training..but can't you just give a dog a break? My dream day would be to wake up and to be surrounded by Milkbones and jumbo bones and chew my Mommy's shoes up..and get into the trash and be off-leash. Oh yeah..Did I mention get into the trash? But in the end I am an Assistance Dog and I am PROUD to have PURPOSE!

Some more things I would like to share. I am a professional at being a good family dog. Maybe you need a few pointers?

1. Begg. That may sound crazy, but people LOVE that and it makes you look cute and when you look cute no guarantees..but you might get a treat! 

2. Learn to eat carrots. I know..I did not like them at first but hey...if that is the only thing they are going to give me under the table...I'll take it! 

3. Fetch: Most definitely learn how to fetch! Kids and adults will love a playful dog.

4. DO NOT DISOBEY. It will only get you put in your kennel or crate. (which has happened to me because I ate a chocolate chip cake when Mommy was not watching)

5. The MOST IMPORTANT - Be Faithful, Loyal and True!

Our friend Anna and her Labrador Retriever Buck recently had a wonderful visit to Three Dog Bakery!

Let's hear it all about it...straight from Buck's mouth.......

I am chasing my tail right now! I got to go to Three Dog Bakery!! It's every dogs' dream, isn't it? Mom and I arrived at Three Dog Bakery, and I had been snoozing in the car as we pulled up. I could smell the scent of carob dog cookies (because us dogs can't have chocolate!). And we stepped inside and automatically the employees flooded over to me with a container of Doggie Truffles...and then a big bowl of icing!! Oh my Dog! I was in heaven!!!

We shopped around the store and Mom bought me a reversible bandanna, a new leash...and then, last but most certainly not least...came the food!! Mom was honored enough to play "chef for a day"! She made me some treats and got to put her own icing on them. I then I put my front paws on the counter so I could get a better whiff of the sweet aroma!!

I got Doggie Ice Cream, A Doggie Biscotti, which came in a package with a Doggie Donut as well. Oh!! I almost forget to tell you the best part! They gave me a big ole' chunk of doggie safe Carrot Cake! I left with a full belly and a doggie bag! Mom also got a certificate where she could spend the day baking for me! Fine by me!!!

Mom told me, when we got home we were going to go walking so I could burn off all that food!!  But I was in no hurry! I was just enjoying the here and now..  Why should I rush home? So I could get my regular kibble??? I think not..!!!

Until next time!!

Labbie Licks -

StarBuck the Pup

 This first picture is a Digital Scrapbooking picture that Buck's Mom Anna made! Did I mention that she is a very talented Scrapper also??

The second picture is of Anna helping out with the baking with Buck looking on..and wondering when he was going to get those fabulous treats that smell so heavenly!!

Our friend Jack....or Glengowan's Light My Fire...is a very special dog! He competes in many conformance shows with his owner and handler....Stephanie Longinotti. This year he has been doing great in almost all the shows he has attended. We are very priveledged to have such a talented friend.

Then just recently...Jack was asked to be a star in a movie!! But I will let his Mom tell you how it happened...

"A person from Animal Encounters, which is an animal talent agency, contacted the local Golden Retriever club in Texas, of which I am a member. They said they were looking for a light colored Golden Retriever who has had some obedience training and could do a few tricks.  I sent in several pictures of Jack and after a few weeks, I heard the good news that Jack was chosen for the movie. Jack and another Golden Retriever named Hawkeye will play the part of Hero, the dog in the movie. The movie will be filmed and produced by Fox Studios and will be filmed in Dallas sometime in late January. The movie is about a little boy and his dog Hero. It will be a Christmas movie that will come out next year. They are not sure if it will be for television or on the big screen. I guess it just depends on how it goes. Because of copyright rules, etc. I can't tell you much more about the movie right now.

Jack is working hard to learn lots of new tricks that he will have to do in the movie. The way it works is if one dog can do something..and the other one can't, then that dog will be in the scene and the other dog will do something else. Or for instance..if one dog is tired or just doesn't want to perform, the other dog will step in to do the scene. It is really going to be fun and I can't wait to see my boy on the big screen!"

Good luck to Jack in his movie!! We know he will do great!We can't wait to see him in the movie either!!

These first two poems were written by a young friend of ours named Anna McLain! She is an upcoming author, poet, illustrator and film star! Anna and her Dog Buck have an book that they are writing & illustrating that will be published soon about a girl named Annie and her dog Fudge, and a film starring Anna and Buck as "Annie" and "StarBuck" called "Bringing StarBuck Home". 

Here is the first of a series of poems written by Anna...

A House Is...

A House is made of bricks and stones,

But whereever my Lab is,

I call Home.

Romp & Stomp

I Romp and Stomp til the day is night,

And when it turns light...

I Romp and Stomp all day,

And when it turns night,

I just want to hit the hay! 

Romp and Stomp - Creek Style

Woof! Woof! Well let me start off saying...sometimes even a Service Dog needs to let their fur down!!

I went to Arkansas to a creek this past August, and met up with three cute Corgis! And normally I am a calm, mellow, happy-go-lucky pup. But I got out there..and being a boy doggie, I had to mark my spot. My Mom says "How embarrassing!" Anyway..the boy dog, Shorty and I hit it off. We were like PB&J! He kept trying to jump up and lick my snout. Pretty far for a doggie of that size! We made our way down to the creek, and me being 100% water-loving Lab..I dove right in!! SPLASH! Mom looked over and saw me with my snout in the water!! I swam and swam!

Then Mom grabbed a stick and said "StarBuck fetch" and I plunged into the water..put my snout in and ran out of the creek..stick in my mouth and got on what I like to call "Zoomies". I ran all over that field! The little Corgi dogs were trying to catch me! Then the baby of the Corgi bunch was scared of water..but wanted to follow me SOOO bad. She barked at the water and ran through so fast (well..as fast as her little legs could go!). But I helped her overcome her fears! Like Mom always says "He is one Caliber Canine!"

After a long day at play I went over to a sand dune by the edge of the creek, and I dug myself a hole and plopped right down to catch some sun rays and Zzzz's and of course my sidekick Shorty came over to me and snuggled beside me! I trekked through the woods and played with the other Corgi, Molly, but she loves to chase things and everytime I would get the Zoomies, she would run after me! Even the oddest couples can make the Cutest Pair! Because even though the Corgis and I had a size difference..we became the Best of Pals!!

Labbie Licks - 

StarBuck the Pup

Anna and her dog Buck have a very special relationship. Buck is a Service Dog and they are together 27/7. These are Anna's thoughts on how special Labrador Retrievers are...... 

What is a Lab?

A comforter and friend,

My soulmate,

Big and fluffy playmate,

A pillow to rest on,

Well trained when at the dog park,

Dog owners wish their dogs were as loyal as my lab

Your sandwich will be gone in 2 minutes if you are not careful!

In the summer he will watch you swim and dive right in.

Best therapist you could ever have!

A Lab comes in brilliant colors..Chocolate Fudge, Yellow like the sun, and Black like midnight,

Knocking knick knacks off the coffee table with their happy, yet lethal, tail.

A Lab is art in motion!

A servant to you

And they are a monster....a kissing monster!

They fill your home with the scent of a Faithful, Loyal and True dog which makes you feel at home,

Hearing the doorbell that the pizza guy rings..then going to bark at him!

They have a soft mouth to retrieve upland birds without hurting them, and soft mouths to play with a child

The Lab is adventurous..yet a calm family dog.

A Lab loves tearing up your favorite stuffed animal,

My friend has fur and 4 paws.....My Labrador Retriever! 

Home is where the Lab is..

 Illustration by Anna McLain

More of Anna's wonderful poems...

Go For It!

You know you're addicted,

When your every weekend is booked

When you got that first rosette

You were then hooked!

Your a hound that will go leaps and bounds,

You will travel mile after mile,

Just to get that one win

That will make you smile!!