Harley McGuire, SedonaEye.com star pet columnist sends a Four Paws Up to all his pals
Sedona AZ (March 13, 2013) – Well, you see, every once in a while something happens that’s just too funny to keep the lip zipped. Here’s the deal.
Mom was invited to meet with some folks for dinner. In fact, it was my working pal Inoch who let me know about this event. He sent me an e-mail and saying “Harley, even if you must wait in the car, will your mother bring you along so we can meet in the parking lot?” Well, as it turned out that’s zactly what happened.
We left our house early so as to walk me in the park before “she” tricked me by leaving me in the car at the restaurant. As I waited for hours on end, finally I was out of jail but, by then, not too interested in much else other than exploring and whizzing on every new smell I could locate (if ya get what I mean?).
As it turned out Inoch wasn’t any more interested in meeting me than I was in meeting him. Neither of us cooperated for a photo shoot which was sort of a shame. However, after I heard Mom speaking about how Inoch snuck over to her under the dinner table and had his head on her lap during the meal, well, what kind of pal is Inoch doin’ that while I’m in car prison?
Inoch of Sedona
Anyhow, Mom brought home one of those special boxes which usually means a treat for me. But the next day when she opened it, well, she almost fainted dead away ‘cuz she didn’t know she had also taken a spoon from that eating place. Yep, my mom the kleptomaniac! Now that’s a pretty good word from a little guy like me but oh, it was so funny – when she saw what she did, she looked up at the ceiling and asked out loud, “What would my mother think!?”
She confessed her sin to Auntie who had invited Mom to join the group for dinner. Then in a couple of days we met Auntie for lunch. Please note I said “we” because this time it was to my favorite spot in the world, Tee-Lacky-Packy, where most places are doggie friendly.
But you see, when we were on the way over to meet Auntie, Mom was still so stressed out about having swiped that spoon she drove right on by the “Tee” place! Then we needed to do a “Yewie” at the round-about thingy so she’s discombobulated and turns in the wrong parking lot at my favorite place. Whew! Thinking we would never get to our destination, it was a huge relief when finally we parked and my face was glowing when she leashed me up and didn’t leave me in car jail.
Pals Mojo Nikki and Fabian relaxing at home
Now during the lunch I must confess I wasn’t on my best behavior. Usually I sit quietly and mind my manners, but to be honest I was thinking bout how Inoch had his head on my mom’s lap the last time she ate out. But, you see, there was some loud ‘quipment making scary sounds so sort of I used that as an excuse to be fidgety. Hush, don’t tell.
Of course, still being on the guilt trip Mom had to bring up her ‘kleptic misdeed, and Auntie even offered to return the spoon to the restaurant.
Mom said “Nope. I’ll take care of it.” You see, she did the crime so it was only fair that she did the time.
As we were leaving my favorite place in the world, Mom was saying out loud, either to me or herself that she was surely hoping she would be able to find our way home since she had such a tough time getting us to the restaurant in the first place. But we made it and for sure it was then time for a nap.
Spring is here!
So the following day, Mom left me at home jail ‘cuz she needed to go where I was not allowed. But she told me we would go to the park later on and also return the spoon to the eating place.
Well, by the time she got home it was “Not today. That traffic is too much and if we leave we may never get back home again.” You see, something called “Spring Break” is going on which is pretty strange ‘cuz we never even had winter yet. Maybe it will snow on that April Fool Day that’s coming up. It happened before!
Anyways, we still have the spoon (which will be returned) and this is all s’posed to be secret stuff. But didn’t someone say confession is good for the soul? YES!
I’m just doing it for my mommy. Right?
Four Paws Up!
Lovingly,
Harley McGuire
For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!
every body is cute in their pictures
Hey Harley guess you’re stories have become boring ‘cuz nobody has nothin to say. Wonder how all your pals would like it if they found out their moms were one of those kleptic types? Anyways I’m still true to you.
Thanks, Buster. Yep, guess I’m a has been but I still have you. No complaints here as long as my mom takes me with her when she returns the spoon! Woof :-)
Lovingly,
Harley McGuire
Hey Harley my friend! I was very sad reading your side of the story. What you need to understand is that I was literally trapped at the restaurant prison trying to take care of my Mom’s needs, like picking up her napkin that she kept dropping on the floor all the time as well as her keys to her special handicap van.
What your Mom didn’t tell you is that the reason why I snuck to her lap was to make her feel better because she missed you. What I was doing, as humans call it, was providing some “comfort therapy” to your Mom because she was so sad from having left you alone in the car for so long. Hope you’ll understand my side of the story and know your mom spoke highly of you!
By the way, you were so cute. I was hoping our moms would let go of our leashes and let us run through the parking lot; but I knew that wasn’t going to happen. Maybe our moms will let us go in a park so we can play.
Take care and chin up, Harley.
Love,
Inoch
Have you ever wondered what your dog is saying and how to communicate back? Would you like to train your dog to come to you, no matter what? Do you want to learn how to recognize communication signals when dogs are together? Sedona Parks and Recreation offers seminars starting March 24 taught by certified professional dog trainer Starr Ladehoff, CPDT-KA.
Choose from three seminar options: What is my Dog Saying? – Body Language and Communication, March 24; Really Reliable Recall – Leslie Nelson Seminar Video Presentation, March 31; and What is My Dog Saying at the Dog Park? – Dog Park Etiquette & Safety, April 2.
All seminars take place at Sedona City Hall, 102 Roadrunner Drive. Register through the Parks and Recreation Department at City Hall or by calling 928-282-7098. Tell ’em Harley McGuire sent ya!
Inoch just shared with us your sad story…Don’t feel bad Harley! Our human parents leave us alone at the home-prison all the time while our big brother Inoch has all the fun going places helping Mom. She takes him everywhere she goes and nobody can say anything about it because he is a special dog (they call him a “Service Dog.”)
He always comes home REAL tired. First thing he does is run to the water bowl to drink lots of water and then he runs out in the yard to water the bushes. We always give him the biggest welcome because he helped bring Mom home. We ask him where he has been and what he did while he was gone.
When they come back, Mom always gives us a special treat…she calls it “lickylish”…it’s made out of ice mixed in with our special kibble. Mom breaks it up in small pieces and gives all of us a small piece. It’s really delicious! It’s such a treat that we forget that she left us alone for such a long time. Perhaps, next time when Mom takes Inoch to play with you in the park she will bring you some.
Right now all.three of us are basking in the sun while Dad is sitting outside reading his favorite books…we are having another lazy, restful day as a family…while waiting for the “lickylish.”
Take care Harley!
Dominic and Hudson
Good, good. Thanks to Inoch, Hudson, and Dominic, finally someone took time to complain to me instead of all the other stuff out there making two legged critters bonkers.
Ya see, Inoch, it’s like this. My mom is a fan of yours and told me right from the beginning when she met you at the grocery store, and you smooched her, and your mom took the picture, it was made very clear to me how with ‘spect and admiration Ma (and me too) think of you. Mostly I need to tell you that even waiting in the car, I was out of house jail. Lots of times when it’s too hot that isn’t possible. So be still my heart, for sure I was more luckier than Hudson and Dominic who were at home. (although you no doubt were rewarded with lickylishes when Inoch and your people parents came home)
For whatever reason, Inoch, you put your head on my mom’s lap during dinner, it made her happy as I hope it did you ‘cuz she told me she petted you and I wasn’t jealous.
No way would I ever be off a leash, even at a dog park where it’s allowed. My best treat is walking on grass ‘cuz there ain’t a lot of it in Sedona ‘cept on golf courses which I guess is a no-no. Of course, ya know my favorite is the Kiwi Park out by you guys.
Anyways, you made an honorable pup out of me by arfing another side to my story. After all, my publisher person tells everyone that’s what Sedona Eye is all about . . . an opportunity for different points of view to be shared. My deepest desire was that my story might have just maybe for the teeniest moment put a smile on someone’s face ‘cuz for sure it was meant to be on the lighter and happier side. See there, my own point of view about all the negative doggie-doo that jus never seems to end in Sedona. My opinion. (both Mom and my publisher person made me add that)
Lovingly,
Harley McGuire
Enjoyed reading your side of the story and how your mom brought home a spoon for you since you were unable to eat at the restaurant. :-) Life is hard sometimes, but in spite of some traumatic times I believe you have a wonderful one
Hey Harley, been missing you. It’s been awhile since our Moms got us together. I’ve been jumping on Moms lap every night trying to get her to comment on your column. Great stuff. We are both so proud of you.
Boy are you right. us four legged residents in Sedona behave much better than the human kind. Posting such negative bullying comments…….. Chicken ___ if I may say so, they do it under a fake name. Calling names is easy when you play “HIT & Hide” …….
Even us little guys at the dog park behave better. Well at least we don’t hide behind a fake names. We just bark and let everyone know how we feel.
Thanks for the great articles on Sedona Eye
Hope to see you soon buddy,
OK, Harley, what ah wanna know is: did your blabbing make an honest woman of your mom? Did she return the spoon?
Yep, Buster, indeed she did and you can bet that it will not happen again!
Lovingly,
Harley McGuire
“It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them; and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart.
If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.” ~Anonymous
Courtesy of Harley McGuire’s Mother
TO: ANONYMOUS
I love this thought and the way it is presented.