Thank you for writing to me and for reading my blog. Fame? What’s fame? When I go out, sometimes people say to my mom, “Is that Joey? Is that the dog from the newspaper article?” I hear it but I’m mostly interested in making friends, like I have always been. Being outside is my big opportunity to meet other dogs. In our home, people are talking about me, looking at me a lot, looking at the newspapers, then looking at me. I’m still more interested in the friendships I make. I’m interested in sitting close to them, and having them pet me, and maybe they’ll even play a game with me, mostly games having to do with tennis balls.

I guess that gives me class and poise?

Your pal,

Joey

I hope that you will like New York and that you find places where you can swim and stay cool there!

Your pal in healing,

Joey

Hope you are well; Luca is doing much better. We’ll be back to NY in a few weeks!

Thank you for writing to me and telling your story. It is very important for people to read it.

I think your mom was very smart to just tell everybody to stop and relax. And it’s very good that people didn’t panic – and listened to her and did what she said.

Let’s talk about garages. Garages are really interesting places. You follow your parents into the garage and you sniff around. Your parents think you are right there, just sniffing around, but staying near them. And then, when they are busy doing doing doing something or talking talking talking, in a moment, you are off – and quietly – and they don’t notice that you are off and away.

From our garage, I can go in many directions and my parents will never know which direction I have chosen to go in. (If they were dogs they could smell which way I’ve gone, but alas, they are not.) Just when my parents think that I have learned my lesson and I am staying close to them in the garage, I will pick up some interesting scent and slowly sniff my way down the driveway.

I don’t know what dog park you go to; I just came home from Cat Rock Park, where there is snow everywhere, and the best way to stay warm is to run and play with the other dogs! Maybe we will both be there some time!

I don’t know what Facebook is, so this one is for my mom. She knows all about that stuff.

Your amigo,

Joey

I saw your article in the tab today. Iam a miniature schnauzer and I live in Waltham with my Mom Elizabeth and my Dad Hank and my brother, the black cat, Pierre. I didn’t get hit by a car but I really scared Mom and Dad last Sunday when I ran out of the garage into the street where cars and plows (it was a very snowy day) could have hit me! Then the kids across the street, Andrew and Alex, who love me, tried to catch me, but I screamed at them and they got scared and dropped me. Then I ran under a parked car and down the street as fast as I could because everyone was cahsing me. I don’t know if I was scared or just wanted to play a chasing game. Then my Mom told everyone to stop and relax. Then Mom and Dad calmly called me and I made a quick u-turn and ran towards Dad, then I veered off to Mom who gently picked me up and brought me home. I got lots of hugs and kisses and treats then and I think Dad even had tears in his eyes. It was kinda fun, but I don’t think I want to do it again. I think you can my picture if you go to my Mom’s facebook page. Her whole name is Elizabeth Dennis DesMarais. Thanks for telling your story, Joey. Maybe I will see you at the dog park in the spring.

I’m happy to receive your email and happy words.

The best way to keep up our “good work” is for my Dad to keep running with me in the morning, and for my Mom to keep taking me on nice long walks, to dog parks where I can make friends with other dogs and they can take the lead off of me and let me run free, and to other healthy and happy places. I try to keep up the pressure on them by looking at them in a certain way and wagging my tail in a certain way. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but on the whole, it works!

Thanks for being my friend!

Your pal,

Joey

I’m also surprised! I look handsome? You’re on my Dad’s side, then. My mom will say “Joey, you’re so beautiful” and my Dad then says, “No, he’s not beautiful. He’s a male dog. He’s handsome.”

I’m glad you like my story! I’m glad to see your smile (and I like the word “good”.)

Your pal,

Joey