It's yours truly - Rocky.
 
So it's been 2 months since moving into my forever home and I'm pleased to announce that everything is really, really great.  As each day goes by, my family learns more about my character and what makes me such a great catch.
 
I do have one big piece of news to share with you!  I have a new name.... well sorta.  You see, my 2 year old human sister doesn't pronounce her R's completely so she calls me "ocky".  I gotta admit, it is cute.  So cute that everyone is now starting to call me Ocky.  To be honest, I can't really tell the difference.  But they believe it does help distinguish my name from Roxie, my GR sister, who they tend to now call 'Rox".  Rox and I talked it over and neither of us care so long as they keep the treats coming.

I'm getting around the house great.  Actually, my family would say I'm doing outstanding.  This is because I've totally mastered the stairs and will go up and down about 6 times a day.  And that's the long ones.  The short stairs next to the kitchen are a breeze and I do those a good dozen times per day.  While Mom and Dad were both surprised and excited that I could do this, they were a bit concerned as I might go up/down when nobody is home and get into trouble.  They now have a gate on the long stairs that they put up when they are not home.  I don't mind because I've got full use of the main level and can lay anywhere I want.  And boy can I lay aroung better than anyone!

Even though I do get around great, I still dread slippery surfaces.  Needless to say, I haven't gone on many walks lately.  The last time I went out, about 2 weeks ago, it was 40 degrees and beautiful - no ice on the roads at all.  Dad, me, and Roxie planned to go for a short 4 block jaunt and had just hit the 1/2 way mark when I decided to plop down on the street in front of a neighbor's house.  At first Dad thought I was tired, or hit a patch of ice but I wasn't breathing heavy and there was no ice under me.  After a couple of attempts to get me going, he realized we might be sitting there for awhile.  Fortunately, the homeowner had just gotten home and Dad was able to kill 10 minutes by striking up a conversation with him while I laid there.  They both thought I was a goof.  But the story doesn't end there.  After they got done talking, Dad again tried to get me up and going.  No dice.  So he picked me up and started carrying me home, with Roxie walking right beside us.  He said carrying 80 pounds for 1-1/2 blocks is a great workout.  After setting me down, I decided that I now wanted to walk again and gladly trotted the remaining 1/2 block home.  Yes, I trotted as if I suddenly had lots of energy and was ready for a 5 mile jog.  He was laughing the whole way back because he just can't figure me out.  I'm odd.

Mom gets a kick out of me because I've really turned into a velcro dog.  I go upstairs with her at night and sleep next to her side of the bed (which just happens to be the same side that Missy the cat sleeps on!).  During the day, when I'm not napping, I'll attach myself to either Mom or Dad.  What can I say, I'm a people lover.

I still have some accidents in the house.  Mom and Dad say I do well and they are still trying to get my schedule down so I get out at the right times during the day.  It's not a time/duration thing, since I can go for 8 hours at night with no problem.  And I get out often during the day.  I just don't have a sign worked out with them so they know when I need to make an un-scheduled pit stop. 

My human 2-year old sister had a birthday party this last weekend, with about 15 family members over.  I did awesome and got lots of attention.

That's most of the exciting new stuff that I've been up to.  Hope you've had as exciting of 2009 as I have.

Oh yeah - I attached a pic so you can see I'm still very handsome.

Love,

Rocky

Hey!  It's me, Rocky.
 
I think I can get used to living in my new home. 
 
I just had my best Christmas ever!  I got to sit on the floor with everyone while they opened presents and I even got some presents just for me!  I devoured one of the rawhide bones after they unwrapped it and I saw some more treats that they said I could have later.  Can't wait.
 
These people are absolute push-overs.  They didn't freak out when I went #2 in the living room after being inside for only 10 minutes.  OK, they freaked a little, but they seem to be getting better seeing as I haven't had any accidents since.  They are treating me like a puppy, bringing me outside every 2 hours during the day.  I don't mind as it gives me a chance to stretch my legs and play in the snow.
 
Their kids have been very gentle with me and I get along with them great.  I also get along great with their GR Sage since she is a senior like me and really laid back.  Roxie, the young GR, and I have had a few grumblings, but hasn't been a big deal and I guess that's to be expected.  We'll probably be good friends shortly as we were already starting to play a little outside today.  Yup, it's really confusing to have a GR named Roxie and now me Rocky.  But they can tell I am hard of hearing so they speak softly when they want to talk to Roxie and they talk loud when they want to talk to me.  They also are calling me other names like Rock, Pumpkin, Big Paws, and Block Head.  I can't believe they actually call me block head. Oh well, I don't mind. 
 
I think I would like to eat their cat.  I've seen her a couple of times but she's been too hard to get to so I haven't chased her.  Dad says he wouldn't care if I ate the cat, but I know Mom wouldn't let me.  I'll let you know what I decide to do.
 
I love to play in the snow outside.  I have a special area in the yard that Dad made for me.  He noticed that I was having a hard time getting through the deep snow to go potty so he cleared an area with the snowblower so I can just walk out in the yard.  I told you these people were push-overs. 
 
I'm also getting better about going in and out of the house.  Yesterday, they said their heating bill doubled due to how long they had to leave the door open before I would come back in.  Not sure what that means, but I do know that I am liking the heat, carpet, and food they keep inside the house so I am trying to get faster.
 
The three of us GRs went for a walk last night and loved it.  Only went about 4 blocks but it felt good to get out and gave me a chance to learn the pace from my GR sisters.  
 
They took some pictures of me, so check them out.  See how big my smile is?
 
C, thank you so much for helping my new family find me. You did awesome! And please let them know when they can get some of those pain meds you mentioned.  They are giving me glucosamine now, and have more on order, but I'll take more stuff if it makes me feel younger.
 
S, thank you for letting them adopt me, taking such good care of me when you didn't even know me, and teaching me how to live in a house. 
Also, can you please let Mom and Dad know how much of the 2 pills that I can have each day?  They have 2 pills in a bag but not sure what to do with them.
 
I'll give you another update in a couple weeks or so when I have more news to report.
 
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Years!
 
Love,
Rocky