July 30, 2000 - The New Arrival! Boy journal, have I got a story to tell you! There is a new member of my household. Let me go back to the beginning and tell you all about it. One day, Mom and Dad started acting strange. They started working very hard to get the empty room in the house looking just so. They put up special wall decorations, they added furniture, one that kind of looked like a tall crate, sort of like mine only it didn't have a top. It was on wheels too with a soft mattress. There was also a cool new rug that took up most of the room. Yoshi tested it out and said it would make a great place for an afternoon siesta. I could tell something or someone was going to be very comfortable in this room.

Yoshi tried to figure out what they were doing by trying to help dad. We didn't find out much. They just kept talking about the "baby." I pulled Yoshi away for a little private conference. "Look Yoshi," I said. "I realize you are not always thinking deeply like me, so I feel the need to tell you. We are in big trouble! Mom and dad are getting ready for a new puppy!

Yoshi didn't believe me. "No Way, Spunky! How do you know that room isn't for us? Maybe it is a present because we are such great dogs!" "Oh to be a naive puppy again! Yoshi, this is different. They have a twinkle in their eye, a spring in their step and can't stop smiling. Only one thing can bring that much happiness: a new puppy."

"Hmmm. I think you're right, Spunky. What can we do?" "Nothing. Just wait I guess. We might as well get used to the idea of having a little brother or sister." "I don't know about you, Spunky, but I'm gonna go get started hiding my bones so I don't have to share with the puppy!"

Well, the months sped by until one day Mom and Dad disappeared. They were gone a long time. When they returned, they had a bundle of blankets in their arms that seemed to take up all of their time. It made noise sometimes but mostly was quiet. I could only assume it was the new puppy. Still, I don't remember mom and dad ever wrapping me up like that. I was so-o-o-o jealous!

One day mom and dad were giving the new puppy a bath and he got really upset. I had never heard such a noise before. It certainly didn't sound like any puppy I had ever heard. I decided I'd better get a closer look at it. Well, I soon figured out that this was no puppy! He looked like Mom or Dad only little! I decided to get a closer look.

So it turns out that we have a baby person living with us now. I am looking forward to him growing up and being my friend. We'll be able to play ball, Frisbee and my favorite sport, chase the cats! Yoshi says he can't wait until the baby starts throwing food on the floor. I am just happy that Yoshi and I are still the only dogs for mom and dad.