Cooper Tonks,

Whoa! where did all those months go?

It seems like such a long time since I jumped up on Dad's lap and had a tap on the keyboard which still has little bits of treats wedged in between the keys.

Not that I haven't been busy. It's been hard work avoiding winter! There's snoozing in front of the gas heater, slipping in between the doona on the big bed when Mum and Dad aren't looking, eating, trying to get Dad to sit still enough with his legs crossed so I can perch there. It's tough work!

Then there's dealing with Mini's tempremental nature. Especially when she is not in the mood to eat her chicken drumstick right there and then and guards it against my strong desires for seconds. I'm full Mini! I'm full! But I have to wait 3 meters away (at least) by the backyard door where it's cold. Luckily Dad rescues me and carries me over the vigil zone.

Dad returned to work this week after 3 weeks off. He tried to copy me in my snoozing antics in front of the gas heater but luckily for him he doesn't have to put up Mini humping his head like I do most of the time. I shouldn't have to put up with this! At least we got to go for walks more often.

We've been watching a lot of the Olympics too. I like to watch the Equestrian. Dad reckons that I can't sit still for 10 seconds let along canter around in loops with such skill and elegance. We both agreed that there should be some doggy events at the Olympics because there would be more people with dogs then there are people with horses in the world. We listed some events Mini and I could do.

Cooper (me)

Doona Caving: Burrowing into a doona on a bed in such a way as to avoid detection by humans for as long as possible. Extra points for creating various lumps designed to make the bed look like it has been left un-made.

Chasing: Chasing objects but not bringing them back. Extra points for chasing after an object...dropping it further away, leaving it there and running away even further.

Chick Magnetism: Score points by counting how many young women stop to make a comment how cute you are. Extra points for laughter gained when Dad replies..."yes...and what do you think of my puppy?"

Mini

Vigil-anti Marathon: Timing how long one could sit and stare at a fixed point. Extra points for actually catching the neighborhood cat without any wounds. (Mini would be Gold medalist here with a time of 8 hours 36 minutes already recorded)

Head Humping: How far down can one hump another doggy's head into a shag pile in front of a gas heater

Thwating: Barking loudly and intercepting a dog from chasing a ball.

See! Lots of Olympics Events could be done if Doggies were included. I'm going to have to send a letter to the IOC.

I'll have to let you know how I go with that one!

Will tap again soon!

Pippa is the new member of the family. She is just a pup and she will be living with Grandpa Per. She's going to grow up into a big dog like Cinta. Which means more friends for me to relate to and it also means more getting my head rubbed into the dirt. Which I don't mind...really.

We went to pick her up from her first family and it was a very hot day. I could describe more what happen but I think the Video says it all. I directed this video with help from Dad

Apparently she has already grown bigger than me but with all that fluffy fur she'll be fun to wrestle and have some fun with.

Well this was a very exciting day. Doggy heaven!

I was so excited I didn't want to come home. Mini and my Cousin Cinta went to Cafe Bones which is near this long park and there were hundreds of doggies to play with. It was amazing! This is the first time I visited.

Mum bought us Puppycino's but I was too excited to drink it so all my new friends drank it instead. Expecially my Cousin Cinta who despite being a greedy guts is the most fun to play with even though he pushes me into the dirt very hard. But I love Cinta. We played till we were pooped!

It was the most fun day ever!

Oh well, I'm a year and a day old...young... and dad said that in human years for cheeky doggies like me, that would be roughly 15 years old cause if I hadn't had that operation I'd have testosteroney going through my body.

At first I thought this was a special Italian dish with pasta and tuna and tomatoes and peas but it's not cause all I ate on my birthday was Osso Bucco. Which incidently, is an italian cut of beef with a thick bit of bone that has delicious mushy bits in the middle. Mini got one too so I don't see what's special about my birthday so far.

At least I know when my birthday is but Mini says that it's her Birthday everyday. Which is a lie.

On my birthday Dad had to go to work and Mum studied her books, then Granpa Per came and fixed the front gate, Mini and I watched him fix it but he made the same mistake Dad did when he tried to fix it and got a screw that was too short to do it properly. Unlike dad's attempt, Per used the proper tools for the job but Dad doesn't swear. I think this is because Dad avoids doing "hard" work. Unless it's something that makes his life more comfortable, like installing the hammock.

Because Dad was at work on my birthday he promised that it could be my birthday week. So that's 8 days of special attention. Which suits me fine.

Today though Dad brought out the camera and took some photos of dirt & leaves. It was accidental; cause I couldn't sit still long enough and I moved before the photo took. I think there is something wrong with the camera. It's better if dad used the camcorder.

I was going to do a rant about how tough life is and how Mum left the radio on so I'm very up to date with all the election promises being made today and lots of expert opinion. I was also going to dob Mini in for stealing my Osso Bucco bone and hiding it somewhere (or did mum take them for herself after Mini and I had a fight over who owns which bone (Mini's version of events)).

For now I'll just leave it at that and do some more writing later

Love Cooper

PS thanks to all those who left birthday messages.

Hello,

Dad mad a movie about Mini and Me. All I can say is that I am a S.T.A.R star!