Happy Birthday, America. (A Post from Mitch)

Hey you guys.  It's me, Mitch.  I know it's been a long time since I've written on here, and I'm sorry about that.  Geesh, I'm getting to be as bad as my dad is about being a bloggin' dog.  Anyway, I hope you've managed to get through your days without my updates.  I'll try to be better.

I haven't been up to too much lately.  My mom made treats for me the other day, and I've been having a lot of fun burying them in the bed and in the couch.  I've been going to the park with my mom a lot, and meeting other dogs.  Plus, I have two new dog neighbors now, which is fun because sometimes at night we like to all go outside and howl at the ambulances.  It's sooooooooooo funny, you guys.  I mean, I'll be all "ooout-a-woooo!" and Toby'll be all "ooouuut-a-woooo-wooo!" and then Rider'll be all "yappa-wooo!"  It's a riot.  Not like a riot in L.A., but like a fun party-like riot.

Tomorrow my mom and dad and I are driving to Augusta to visit Uncle Hugh and Aunt Cassie and Fletcher, my cousin that I say I hate (but that I secretly love--my wagging tail gives it away), Fletcher. (It's actually the one-year Fletchiversary--so it's been exactly one year since I've had a peaceful visit with Aunt Cassie and Uncle Hugh).  We're going to eat homemade treats and run around the yard and celebrate our freedom and celebrate the fact that we live in a pretty darn great country. 

Here's what I love about our country.

I love that we have a Humane Society, where moms and dads can find dog children of their own.  I love that people can own as many dogs as they want.  I love that I can bark whenever I want and bark whatever I want.  I love that we have awesome entertainment in America (um, hello, Air Bud franchise!).  I love parks that have water fountains for dogs.  I love restaurants that have outdoor seating and waitresses that give me a bowl of water.  I love watching kids practice football at the park.  I love the smell of grilling in the summer. 

Now, if only America would work on two things:

1. I think it'd be better if I could just be off my leash at the park, and pretty much everywhere. 
2. The fireworks need to go.

Seriously.  I'm a patriot dog and all, but I can not stand the booms of fireworks.  I mean, I howl the "Star-Spangled Banner" with the best of 'em, and I watch Glenn Bark every night.  I love to take time to reflect on those people and animals that have helped to make our country what it is today; I just don't see why we have to have big fire booms in the sky to show our appreciation.

Oh, and the taxes.  Sometimes, after I have a long day of work in my tie collar, I just want to have all of that money to myself to buy treats and toys.  Why do I have to give some of it to the government?  Oh yeah, so that I can have parks that have water fountains for dogs.  Fine. 

But we can all agree on the fireworks, right?