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The Tonka Story:
Tonka was born in june 2004, and i told my daughter who was going off to college we don't need another dog. well she was so darn cute and i thought what the heck. she will be a "bag a week dog" 25 pounds of dog food when she is fully grown.
Note for STUDENTS:
Pets are really cute but believe me not Tonka, they take a lot of time. Dogs especially are time consuming and demand a lot of attention. Cats are a bit easier, but then there is the cat box. If you really love dogs and cats, volunteer at your local animal shelter.
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November 2006

REAlly BLUE Daze so long Tonka and King
I was careless and Tonka got away from me on Nov. 21, 2006 at around 4 pm. I hallored at her & King broke the tie out and took off biting & chasing her. I yelled a few times & I turned to go get the car keys and I heard the screech of big tires. I went to the street and they were both lying there, dead. Poor Tonka & King. I wanted to scream, but I was in such shock. I am very thankful to the driver of the TRUCK who STOPPED AND SAID HE WAS SO SORRY...I know he was and he even dragged them out of the street for me. It was like when a deer dashes out in front of a car. They both died instantly. I am THANKFUL TO THE KIND PEOPLE WHO STOPPED to see if I WAS OKAY. One lady helped me put Tonka on the plastic sled I had and helped me take Tonka to the house. Thank you to my sisters friend Cliff who let me bury the dogs on his land in the country. It has been one hell of a week. I had a hard time sleeping without my Tonka, but the radio helps and the 3 CATS, Rascal, Meanie and Millie, help. Another Dog, not right now. Maybe in the spring.
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Oct 8, 2004
Being a pet owner has it's benefits and draw backs. Yes puppies love to chew everything and everything they can get their little jaws on. My book was not alive but I am. Those little baby teeth puppies have are sharp. So my brother told me to get a retractable leash. I had visions of Tonka going like a bat out of hell on this thing. But so far so good. She isn't jumping up as much. I find when she gets too much exercise or she is tired she wants to bite and roughhouse. I also got a Gentle Leader for her. Kind of works like a halter does on a horse. So that will be fun to try and get Tonka to wear that. She is about 15 or 16 weeks old now. I found out today her mother is also part St. Bernard. Yikes she may develop into a 1 and 1/2 about a 35 pound of dog food dog a week. I have to get a digital camera and get some new pictures of her soon.

Oct. 22, 2004
Took the Tonka girl to the vet this past wed. and she has doubled her weight from the last time. She is getting taller and still is having fun chasing the cats. The biting is getting better and I had her nails trimmed at the vet. A two person job for now with miss energy dog. The retractable leash is working well, except when Tonka gets a foot wrapped up in it. Then she gets a bit snarelly. It's No, sit, never use the dogs name with the correction. Then a nice gentle tickle to her chest and a pet and treat. Tonka is getting better at coming and sitting, instead of jumping up on me. It all takes time, a little training every day. She needs more socialization. With me trying to do homework, which mind you is a bit challenging when Tonka is chewing on my shoelaces and pulling my shoe. They have this thing called a Kong. The Kong is a hard rubber kind of a thing that is hollow in the middle. You fill it with a treat or I just put a dog cookie in there. The dog, in this case Tonka, chews and chews and tries to free her captive treat. Keeps her pretty busy. And it wears out those little puppy jaws too. Her newest TRICK were attempting in addition to the come and sit, is shake a paw.

November 22, 2004
Well I should be writing a paper or reading something for a class. Last week after class I went home and saw a light on in the backyard. I thought who is out there. Instead of going out to look, I went instead and looked out the back window. Out by the side of the deck was honking big Buck, NO not a man, but a male DEER. I thought oh my god, oh my god and I said we will wait a minute to go outside Tonka. Didn't run into it again, but I sure wait and check now when we go out to walk. Boy going to school is challenging and trying to get any reading done with this little Tonka around is still more of an amazing feat. Yes the dog will start obedience class soon enough. First night the owners only go. That will be fun to see all the people and hear their puppy woes. I had Tonka out for a ride in the car without the crate. She is getting too big to climb through the seat and sit in my lap. Thank goodness for that. She will be learning a lot of things and so will I. Tonka still loves treats and I read the box and they have sugar in them. That is too weird.

December 17, 2004
Oh it sleeted and froze up last weekend and I have a pair of Yak Traks for my shoes. They work really good for ice, but TAKE THEM OFF ONCE YOU GET INDOORS. They are made of rubber and have a wire like a notebook binding that is wrapped around the bottom for traction. They slip over your shoe or boot BUT They are slippery on floors. SO TAKE THEM OFF ONCE YOU ARE IN THE DOOR.
Yahoo the semester is almost done and I have just the client site to do and I am home free. Took my pal Tonka to the vet today and she weighs in at 69 pounds and growing. What a dog! She is about 6 months old and is sure a big puppy. I can hardly wait for Dog Training to start. I can see myself learning a lot too. Christmas is right around the corner and I am not ready. I am going to make some home made dog cookies for my sister's dog and Tonka. It will be fun to see them rip open the package. No tree this year. Tonka is a wild girl and I don't want to worry about her pulling the tree up the stairs or knocking it over. TONKA will be spayed soon. Puppies are cute but so many of them don't have homes, or someone gets one like the incredible growing, Tonka and then finds they can't keep them and they end up in a shelter. PLEASE ADOPT A PET IF YOU CAN OR VOLUNTEER AT A PET SHELTER.

Well have a great holidays and hug a dog or kitty or even a HUMAN friend.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!
January 11th, 2005
Can you believe that it is 2005 and when the 2001 Space Oddessy came out like eons ago we all were amazed by that. 1984 has come and gone and we are about to "Brave New World" with all the tracking devices they have for PETS and People. SCHOOL starts next Tuesday, the day after Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday. There is a Free Breakfast in Duluth, on Jan. 17th, 2005, at the Copper Top Church on Central Entrance an Skyline. In Minneapolis they are charging $30.00 to go to the real event. Duluth has TV Monitors so we can watch the speech. The March has been changed to start at 11 a.m. from the Washington Center on Lake Ave and 4th ST.
TONKA started obedience classes last night. It is work, I was sweating by the time I got out of there. Tonka had never seen so many dogs in one place. We worked on sit, and heel. Sounds easy, but some dogs have minds of their own like my buddy Tonka. Tonka did really good, still has the nipping problem, but found out some cures for that too. I am so glad I am taking her to these classes. I think everyone should train their dogs the basic obedience. I just hate when I go to someones house and their dog is jumping on me and trying to sniff my rear end. Like it is so rude. So with a lot of work and love my little-big buddy Tonka will be a great assett to any place we visit. I got her a portable kennel. It is rather large, it seems, but when she lays down, she can really stretch out. It folds flat so I can take her with me now. I just have to get a car top carrier or a station wagon for a car. For now the car top carrier will probably be it for us.

Feb14,2005
tonight is dog training.

May 24, 2004 (new picture 5/07 below)
Bow Wow, how now brown little rabbits that are circling my humble abode. I love you little rabbits chewing up the tulips and chasing each other around. My owner will not let me chase you. Poop to her. I still want to chase you! I am still going to dog class. I like the ladies there. They are so nice to me. The other dogs in class are nice too. So I am glad I get to go for the ride in the car. I love to pull stuffing out of toys, cushions, bedspreads, anything with fiber fill she says. I haven't seen the girl lately. I like the students who pet me when I am out for my walk. I try to not jump. It is so hard. I want to lick their faces. Rascal my cat is good. Mitzie and Meanie are brats.
June 2005
Will the chewing ever stop I ask myself as I hear the sound of a towel starting to tear under the grips of one Tonka the Chomper. A light bulb went on today in my head. Yes the beams were shining out my ears and nose and other openings. But I thought if I don't react maybe she will stop chewing and tearing the towel. She did stop. I thought of the Chase Game we play where I throw something for Tonka and she grabs it and I look surprized and make like I am going to chase her. She runs around. I have doorways that allow a sort of indoor track. But I usually say to Tonka hey what you got and start chasing her when we play. So I need a new strategy.NEWS FLASH-- My daughter is getting married this July 2005. I am happy for her. I wish her the best.

January 2006 Happy New Year
Time flys when you are having much going on and not enough hours in the day. My daughter got married, moved back with Mom and brought a HUsband and DOG back with her. WE have a full house. Tonka is doing good. Between the 2 dogs they polish off a 22 pound bag a food in a week. I should have stock in IAMS.She still does the surprize jump up and bonk you in the nose, once in a while. She gets plenty of exercise chasing King and the cats around. When we found Millie she was coughing like a human would and she was pretty sick. Took her in and after large VET BILLS OVER 200 smackeronies she is doing well. Cute kind of a dark Calico, with some orange tabby on her face. Got to get a picture of her for the collection. My YAK TRAKS bit the dust end of last season and I miss them. I went looking for a pair at Gander Mountain and they were out of my size. So the HUNT is still on. They are the best for walking on ice and snow. IT MAY BE A MILD WINTER, BUT WE HAVE MARCH TO GO.

Oct 8, 2004
Being a pet owner has it's benefits and draw backs. Yes puppies love to chew everything and everything they can get their little jaws on. My book was not alive but I am. Those little baby teeth puppies have are sharp. So my brother told me to get a retractable leash. I had visions of Tonka going like a bat out of hell on this thing. But so far so good. She isn't jumping up as much. I find when she gets too much exercise or she is tired she wants to bite and roughhouse. I also got a Gentle Leader for her. Kind of works like a halter does on a horse. So that will be fun to try and get Tonka to wear that. She is about 15 or 16 weeks old now. I found out today her mother is also part St. Bernard. Yikes she may develop into a 1 and 1/2 about a 35 pound of dog food dog a week. I have to get a digital camera and get some new pictures of her soon.

Tonka big black dog 05/07/04

Tonka on couch. Chairs are no barrier for me either
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November 2006
Blue days
Well I am in heaven now and I am chasing that rascal King. On November 21, 2006, my owner was putting me out and I ran off the porch. King was on the tie out and broke the chain. We were really running like crazy and a big truck hit us both. Next thing I know we are looking down at ourselves, wondering what happened. My owner, was crying and now I am in heaven. I miss her, but King and I are still having fun. She buried us in a good place along with Sabrina her old dog. So we are all friends here. No more waiting to go outside, but I do miss the popcorn and peanut butter toast she use to give me.
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Oct. 2, 2004
Tonka's take on the situation.
Well yep, I was so damn cute and I just wiggled my way into these peoples lives. I walked up to the girl who was with her. her daughter, who picked me up and hugged me and said isn't she cute. Just look at me, I am so cute. The little white chest and my little white spotted toes. My dog mom knows how to pick a mate. He was a handsome black lab she tells me. and yes I am a handful right now, but my owner puts up with my bitting her and chewing up everything in sight. I have wormed my way into her heart and even those pesky 3 cats are almost warming up to me with their hissing and their sharp claws.

Well one day i was really bored in the kitchen, she let me out of that kennel thing she use to keep me in and now I rule the kitchen. Well she left that day there were some books on the table, and I just reached up and got one to chew on. Oh you should of heard her when she got home that day. I thought she was going to start crying. But then she laughed. She said that I only ate the cover and for a 40 dollar book there is a lot of blanks before the meat of the book. I am behaving better these days, but I like to nip her fingers. I love when she sits in her chair and I jump on her lap. I am going to be a big girl so I have to enjoy this time now.

I like to go for walks and I get so excited when I see people. She makes me sit. Some people pet me and that is wonderful. I like people a lot.

Oct. 5th, 2004
After long days of hanging out in the kitchen and howling and whining, I find sleep is good. I get all energized up and then I am raring to go when my friend comes home from work. She usually wants to sit down and read, but no way for her, I like to go out and walk. I can listen and sit down, and she give me a treat. She seems pretty happy because of this simple act, I really like the treat.

The cats are acting nicer and one even lets me lick his face now. We still have fun when I chase them upstairs. Cats are funny characters, they want you to chase them but then they hiss and hit you when you catch them.

It is cold in the mornings now, somethings going on. She mutters hurry and and do your job now. I guess she means chew on branches, leaves, and garbage leftover from games at that big place by my house. I sit down in the front yard and watch humans run around and around. I wonder if they get dizzy like when I try to grab my tail. When it is dark the lights are bright out there and our room is lit up. Its hard to sleep, but I keep an eye out for a cat sneaking into the bedroom.

I have to go to the vet she says soon. The vet feels my belly, looks in my mouth, and pats me on the head. The best part is the treat. I am getting a bit sleepy writing. So I will to curl up on my soft matt and take a snooze.

Oct 8,2004
Boy it has been one crazy week for me. I have this biting problem and she is really getting tired of me. I have time out as she calls it in the old crate kennel thing. I hate that. I try to lick my way out of there.The cats are laughing at me when they walk by. Then she lets me out and I chase them cats. Ha Ha.

Besides biting, I like to jump up and grab her coat, her arm, her pants, anything just so I can sink my teeth into it. But last night she took me for a ride in the car. We went to that store with all the other pets and the treat bin. (Petko) She lets me come in the store with her and people oo and awe and pet me. I really like it there. I can sneak a pet treat and then they give me one when I am being cute at the cash register. She bought a bunch of stuff for me and said this should take of my problems for awhile. I didn't understand until she went to let me out when we got back home. She put this thing around my head and hooked it up to my collar. I was ready to pull and try and drag her down the street, but no pull. She just stood there and away I went. It was fun. So we went for a little walk and she wasn't saying stop it, no. She even gave me some new treats that I picked out at the store.

After my dinner, she took me on a walk and the students were going home from playing baseball. They wanted to pet me. I wiggled and sat nice for them too. I get so excited I don't know if I should stand, sit or jump. The students talked about how I reminded them of their puppies at home. I wish their puppies were here so I could run and play with them too.

Well the weekend is almost here and she stays home with me more and takes me places. The girl is home this weekend and she is fun and rolls in the grass with me. I get to lay on the couch with the girl when she is home. So have a good weekend.

Oct. 22, 2004

Oh what a long time it has been since she left the room so I can get busy filling you in on all my antics. I went to the vet and he gave me lots of treats while they were snipping my nails. I like Rascal the one cat and Mitzi and Meanie are real stuck up cats. The reason I like Rascal is he lets me lie on the bed with him and he is fun to chase. I have chewed up a couple of pens and that's about it these days. The GIRL was home and I miss her. She is funny and laughs a lot. I have gone in the car a few times to see the old lady and guy who watch me when she is gone. I saw 3 RAbbits, this morning. They sure are fast. I want to go riding this weekend and I just wonder if she will take me. She sits for a long time trying to get her work done, but who will throw the ball if she doesn't? Not the cats that's for sure. Well she should be coming home sometime here. I can push on the gate and then it falls on the ground. I jump out of the kitchen over the other gate she has bolted to the door frame. I am growing.

November 22, 2004
Bow Wow where has the time gone? I am the size of a full grown water spaniel now. I am about 5 months old. I have a feeling I will be larger than life soon enough. What's happening in the old kitchen? I can really jump high and my grown up dog teeth are coming in slowly but surely. I like Rascal the cat still, he is my buddy. He let's me lick his face and we have fun terrorizing the other two cat's. I heard her the other day telling someone I am going to start obedience training in January. She sounds pretty excited, I don't know if I am. I still like to take walks and I keep trying to jump on people but she stops me. I like to run in the field and pretend I am chasing the frisbee she throws. I just like to chew it up instead. I was in the kitchen sleeping for a few nights after I got a bag of stuff off the door in the kitchen. Sparkley stuff and beads and things she had hanging there. It's like everything is hanging from something in there. But those things keep me in shape jumping up and grabbing at them. Those new gates keep me in the kitchen and those darn cats still come by and comment on how much they like me in there. I still can smell their stinky ness though. When I grow up I will be queen of this kitchen until then I am a queen in training.

December 17, 2004
Oh what a day I have been having. She came home in the middle of my nap and took me for a ride in the car. I saw a few dogs at the place she took me to. I met a good smelling lady who hugged me and poked me with something sharp. She gave me a cookie and that was good. Then this tall guy came in in a white coat and gave me pats and pets and I got a ride on this table thing. Then that nice smelling lady took my paw. I whimpered, snip, snip, and oh it didn't hurt but I was worried. They kept telling she to cut my nails more and to comb me and handle me more when I am young. I thought let me go so I can jump on you too. I am getting bigger and probably can knock you over. HA HA!!
I still like going for walks and I like when she drops the leash because I get all wiggly and start jumping and biting she. She says OUCH, stop it you darn dog. OUch, OUCH, You sit TONka. I say watch this one I can really jump up to almost bite your nose. I am really big. She keeps saying " I just can't wait for dog training to start." Me neither, I get to go for a ride in the car. I love it. My girl is coming home from school. I am excited and go to her door every day. My girl takes me for walks and lets me lay on the couch with her. I can't wait. Have fun for the holidays I will.

December 28, 2004
WOW, Ruff, Wow, I had the trip down the hill to the Vets before the Christmas holidays. I thought I was just going to go sniff around a bit and see a couple of new four legged friends. She said I hope you do alright Tonka girl, and then she left me there. I was a little scared at first. I was hungry too. No food this morning. They put me in a cage and I cried for my lady. But soon the Guy in the white coat comes in and pets me, tells me everything will be just fine. He pokes me, I get sleepy and I am out. Later on I wake up. They say oh look how cute she is. I lick their hands and fall back to sleep. When she comes to get me I just want to go home. My belly is naked, they shaved me. I rest up, no long walks for me for a week or so. Rascal the cat is my friend now. I lay on the bed with him

January 11, 2005
I am so happy to be home. Yahoo! I went to this place with her and there were lots of tails waggin on my level. Oh la la, I saw some pretty awsome guys at this place. My girl is home and she is sure a crab in the morning and she puts up with the both of us. I like to lay on the bed when they are both there. I can step on them and lay on them both. I like all the cats now they let me chase them all and they hiss at me, ha, ha..ha. I just laugh at them. I even stand on the toilet seat and drink out of the sink. My favorite thing to do now is to grab something she is using and run away. She starts to chase me and then she hides. I find her and she gives me a treat when I give her back what I have. Well I got a go cause I am so tired from dog training last night. We came home and watched movies with friends. I had my own bowl of popcorn. It was great. Ruff...ruff...see ya later.

May 24, 2004
Bow Wow, how now brown little rabbits that are circling my humble abode. I love you little rabbits chewing up the tulips and chasing each other around. My owner will not let me chase you. Poop to her. I still want to chase you! I am still going to dog class. I like the ladies there. They are so nice to me. The other dogs in class are nice too. So I am glad I get to go for the ride in the car. I love to pull stuffing out of toys, cushions, bedspreads, anything with fiber fill she says. I haven't seen the girl lately. I like the students who pet me when I am out for my walk. I try to not jump. It is so hard. I want to lick their faces. Rascal my cat is good. Mitzie and Meanie are brats.

June 2005
It is summer and it is hot. How I love to lay on this old kitchen floor and snooze during the day. Kind of boring sometimes, but I keep busy chewing up stuff and looking out the kitchen window. I like the Kong when she fills it up with stuff and peanut butter. Yum Yum. I am on vacation until July when dog training continues. I like to walk early in the morning when it is cool out. I see dogs, people, deer, rabbits, squirrels, and birds. Those crows have big mouths for sure. There is a new dog at the neighbors. A golden big dog and a little beagle who barks a lot. They say come on over and play, but I am on a leash and I just look at them. My companions the cats are doing fine and hanging out in the windows.

January 2006
I am still around and I am still just as rambunctious as ever. I have a new friend living with me, in fact 2 new additions to the house of many animals. My dog friend is King and he is lots of fun to chase around and drink water with. He isn't as tall as me but sure is a wiggler if you know what I mean. My owner has a soft spot for animals and RESCUED A KITTEN THIS FALL. Millie likes to climb over the two gates in the kitchen to visit me. I love her. I lay with her and she is really nice. She is a KEEPER! King likes her two. We chase her but she rules the recliner. I am in NOVICE dog class. I am learning to be better. It is fun. My girl is home now with this guy who is her husband. HE likes to Take me for WALKS and RUNS. I like this guy too. Life is good.

May, 2006
Wow, How now brown cow or should I say rabbits jumping around the backyard. The sun shines way to early while I am waiting for her to get out of bed and put me out. I have a new bud living with me. King is his name and he is full of trouble. He likes to play the get it and catch me game. WE have tons Of fun chasing each other and wrestling around the house. They get tired of us and squirt us with water, but that don't hurt. If they get really tired of King and I, they put us in our kennels. Wah Wah, I hate it but then it is good to rest inbetween rounds of running around. My GIRL has been back for a while now. She is usually going somewhere and I jump up on the couch and look outside to see where she is going. I hate when she goes. King moans and barks and I whine. I am not in School now. I miss the other dogs. But fun to just be me. Millie my new cat friend is doing great. She sounds weezy, but is a fighter.