Mind Bender

What do these items have in common?

Our BEST sleeping bag.

Jouster's ONLY pair of flip flops.

Duchess' FAVORITE pair of mud boots.

Prince Charming's NEW pair of flip flops.

The King's MOST COMFORTABLE pair of knock around shoes.

Our HIGH QUALITY garden hoses.

Maiden's BRAND NEW golf bag.

And no, the answer is not the adjectives in the sentences.

The one thing that all of the above have in common is:

Our beloved Pooch. Doesn't he look innocent? He puts on a dumb act when I ask him how things got chewed up...like he can't understand Human. He won't answer, he just perks up his ears, cocks his head to the side, and gives me the sad puppy dog look. It's as if he's saying, "I'm sorry. I have a problem. It's an addiction I can't control. I need help." It works. Instead of being reprimanded, he gets a pat on the head with encouraging words, "That's okay Pooch. We still love you. Just try harder next time." He agrees with a paw shake.

Then I yell at everyone in the family, "Don't leave your stuff outside. Don't kick your shoes off under the trampoline. When you hang anything on the line, keep it out of Pooch's reach. Don't pull the garden hose near Pooch's house. It's your own fault if Pooch chews up something that's important to you." The blame gets shifted from the dog to the kids. Pooch likes it that way. Needless to say, he has me wrapped around his little dew claw.

And just in case that innocent face makes you question whether or not I am telling you the truth, I have proof:

The Newest Member of the Family

I'd like to introduce you to Pooch, or Sir Pooch as he will be known in Fairy Tale Land.  Pooch joined our family about a week ago.  He had been living with Grandpa and Grandma but had a problem.  He liked to run with the wrong crowd.  Peer pressure was more than he could bear, and Grandpa was afraid there was too much influence coming from the wrong side of the tracks.

Since Grandpa and Grandma were concerned about his future, and because we have a lot of space on the farm, along with experience with wayward teens and dogs, they asked if we would take their beloved Pooch.  Of course we agreed.  All of our kids (except Maiden) love Pooch.  Maiden has decided she is allergic to dogs, especially big ones.

He is a really good dog and very smart.  I think he will be a much better dog than our last one.  We were concerned for the chickens and sheep, but Sir Pooch pays no attention to the chickens.   He chased the sheep once, but The King told him no and Pooch immediately obeyed.  He has not tried to leave our yard to find friends, nor has he tried to chase a car.  We are quickly falling in love with the sweet canine.  For now, we continue to keep him chained when we are not around.  Soon we hope to have our perimeter fence completed so Sir Pooch can freely guard our land.  Welcome to the family Poochie!